Headlines From The Times

Trump Administration Freezes $1 Billion in Medicaid Funds ; Why Living in Miami Costs More Than NYC Jul 22, 2026

The Trump administration is withholding an additional $1 billion in Medicaid funding from California and Minnesota, marking the second time this year the federal government has targeted the states' public health insurance programs over suspected fraud. While the withheld funds make up a relatively small share of each state's Medicaid budget, the loss could still impact programs providing behavioral therapy for children with autism and in-home care services helping people with daily tasks like bathing, eating, and taking medications.
Meanwhile, the average cost of living in Miami is now more expensive than in the New York City metropolitan area, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, with housing in Miami about 5% higher than in the New York area. Once seen as the cheaper alternative to New York with the added attraction of no state income tax, Miami has gotten pricier as the ultra-wealthy are buying properties there. In Palm Beach, firms like BlackRock and Redbird Capital Partners are opening up new offices, earning the area a new nickname: "Wall Street South."

Read more at https://LATimes.com

Federal Judge Freezes Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger, Trump Slaps 50% Tariffs on Canadian Goods, and California E-Bike Injuries Surge Jul 21, 2026

The Paramount-Warner Brothers saga continues as a federal judge in California hit pause on one of Hollywood's biggest mergers. The ruling temporarily blocks the $111 billion merger of Paramount-Skydance and Warner Brothers Discovery after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general, led by California AG Rob Bonta, filed a restraining order to stop the deal.

Meanwhile, the United States' trade war is escalating with Canada as the Trump administration is slapping a new set of 50% tariffs on goods ranging from wine to hockey sticks to cement. The administration says the broad tariffs are in response to what they view as Canada's “discriminatory treatment” of U.S. auto, alcohol, and dairy industries.

Marvel Studios has released the first full trailer for "Avengers: Doomsday," featuring Doctor Doom, the return of Steve Rogers & a massive team-up of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts & X-Men ahead of the film's December release.

And, a new UC San Diego study found e-bike injuries are rising rapidly across California, with the highest number of injured riders being 14 years old or younger. Researchers say e-bike crashes are also more likely to result in serious injuries than traditional bicycle accidents.

Read more at https://LATimes.com

"The Odyssey" Breaks IMAX Record, FIFA Reports $9 Billion in World Cup Revenue, More Water Main Breaks Reported in Los Angeles, and Spain's Victory Recapped Jul 20, 2026

Christopher Nolan's nearly three-hour epic "The Odyssey" grossed over $124 million domestically this weekend, proving it was worth the risk for Universal despite being one of the priciest R-rated movies ever made. Shot entirely on IMAX 70-millimeter cameras, the film set a new IMAX record for the largest opening weekend in international markets, excluding China, Japan, and South Korea. Universal Pictures' president of domestic distribution says "it's something that truly has to be experienced on the big screen," and audiences are running to theaters to be part of this cultural moment.

Meanwhile, FIFA celebrated its own victory, as Spain lifted the 2026 World Cup trophy, with the organization estimating nearly $9 billion in revenue for the tournament. The expanded format went from 32 to 48 teams with 104 matches instead of 64. This meant increased ticket sales, sponsorships, and broadcast rights – though fans complained the tournament was wildly unaffordable.

A major water main break continues to shut down part of Sunset Boulevard after a 110-year-old pipe spilled nearly 17 million gallons of water across West Hollywood. As crews work to repair the damage, additional water pipe breaks were reported in Venice & Hollywood, raising new concerns about Los Angeles' aging water infrastructure.

Spain defeated defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 FIFA world cup. Ferran Torres scored the match-winning goal, Rodri was named the tournament's best player & Lionel Messi closed out what is expected to be his final world cup appearance.

Read more at https://LATimes.com

New York Pauses Data Center Construction Amid AI Boom, AI "Actor" Causes Hollywood Controversy, and Man Arrested for Vandalizing Waymo Jul 14, 2026

The AI boom is fueling a race to build data centers across the United States. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul is hitting pause, becoming the first state to temporarily ban approvals for the largest of those projects. The executive order halts new permits for "hyper-scale" data centers that use over 50 megawatts of power for one year. And, AI-generated character Tilly Norwood is set to star in the feature film "Misaligned," reigniting debate across Hollywood over whether artificial intelligence can truly be considered an actor. Meanwhile, a man was arrested in East Hollywood after police say he climbed on top of a Waymo & vandalized it.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Dies at 71; ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Housing Bill Quietly Becomes Law, and Flock Cameras Put on Pause Jul 13, 2026

Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, died on Saturday at 71 years old. According to the medical examiner, Graham died from an aortic dissection, a tear in the main artery. Graham served as a close advisor to President Trump. A fierce supporter of Ukraine and Israel, he pushed for more aggressive foreign policy measures.

And for months, lawmakers called it a ‘once in a lifetime’ housing bill. Over the weekend, it quietly went into effect. The measure won't bring a single sweeping change; instead, it's a collection of 56 regulatory tweaks aimed at boosting the housing supply by lowering costs and encouraging more construction. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

Meanwhile, the LAPD has suspended its use of Flock Safety's license plate reader cameras while officials work to address concerns over data privacy, security & information sharing.

Finally, Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon ended just 69 seconds into UFC 329 after suffering a right knee injury against Max Holloway. UFC President Dana White says doctors believe McGregor may have torn his ACL.

Read more at https://LATimes.com

Platner Suspends Senate Campaign, Trump Ordered to Pay Carroll $5.8M, Bonnie Tyler Dies at 75, and Former Charger, Marcellus Wiley, Denies Abuse Allegations Jul 09, 2026

In Maine, Graham Platner is officially suspending his campaign for U.S. Senate after sexual assault allegations against him came to light this week. In an eleven-minute video posted to social media, Platner said his movement will continue, but that he can't carry the torch forward. Under Maine law, a political party can choose a new nominee when one steps aside, meaning Democrats have until July 27th to pick a replacement candidate for the general election in November.

Also, a federal judge ordered President Trump to pay writer E. Jean Carroll the more than $5 million that he owes her. A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll the settlement over three years ago, after Trump was found liable of sexually assaulting and defaming her.

And Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer behind one of the biggest power ballads of all time, has died at 75. Tyler's family said she died unexpectedly at a hospital in Portugal, where she was being treated for an illness. Best known for her 1983 hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart," Tyler's distinct, raspy voice made the song a global phenomenon.

Meanwhile, former Chargers star Marcellus Wiley is denying allegations made by his wife after she filed for divorce & obtained a temporary restraining order. Wiley says the claims are false & plans to fight them through the legal process.

Finally, a new California bill would allow abused & neglected animals seized in cruelty cases to be placed in foster homes or with rescue groups while criminal cases move through the courts, helping reduce long shelter stays.

Read more at https://LATimes.com

Trump Clears Ukraine to Build Patriots, Oil Surges as Iran Ceasefire Collapses, and Netflix Adds Short Form-Video Jul 08, 2026

President Trump says the U.S. will let Ukraine manufacture Patriot air defense systems to help counter Russian missile attacks, which killed at least 21 people in Kyiv just days ago. Trump also shifted his tone while meeting with Zelensky, praising the Ukrainian leader as "very effective" in the war.

Meanwhile, the market is down and oil prices are surging after Trump announced the ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran is over, following Iran's retaliatory attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump says Iran's civilian infrastructure could be next, after Iran targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Also, Netflix is expanding beyond movies and TV shows by adding short-form videos from major digital publishers. The new feature launches August 3 and will include celebrity interviews, travel, gardening and more.

Meanwhile, after more than five decades of family fun, Fiesta Village Family Fun Park in Colton is closing for good. Park owners cite rising operating costs & declining attendance as the main reasons behind the closure.

Read more at https://LATimes.com

Graham Platner Under Pressure to Drop Maine Senate Race, McConnell's Health Mystery, Rui Hachimura Joins Clippers, and Tom Sandoval Faces Abuse Allegations Jul 07, 2026

Just one month after winning Maine's Democratic Senate primary, Graham Platner is facing growing calls to end his campaign. Last night, a woman who dated Platner went on CNN and accused him of raping her in 2021. Platner called those allegations "categorically false" and said he's taking time to reflect on the best path forward for his campaign.

Also, Senator Mitch McConnell is reportedly "continuing his recovery" after being hospitalized more than three weeks ago. Since then, his office hasn't said anything about the condition of his health, or when he's expected to return to the Capitol. The Senate returns from recess next week, but it's unclear if McConnell will be there. In the meantime, his team says he's receiving "excellent care."

Yesterday, Rui Hachimura inked a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, continuing the Los Angeles Lakers free agency refresh. And, Tom Sandoval and ex-girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson are now accusing each other of abuse as dueling restraining order claims head to court.

Read more at https://LATimes.com

Russia Strikes Kyiv, Extreme Heat Hits SoCal & FIFA Reverses Balogun Red Card After Trump Call Jul 06, 2026

Early Monday, Russia launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and the greater region, killing at least 21 people and wounding at least 60 others. Also, as parts of the world bake under extreme summer heat, Southern California is next, as a strengthening El Niño threatens to bring record-high temperatures there over the coming weeks. A heat advisory is in effect from Tuesday to Thursday, as temperatures are expected to climb into the high nineties, even reaching triple digits across inland Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. And, in a rare move, FIFA overturned U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension, clearing him to play in Monday's win-or-go-home match against Belgium. According to multiple outlets, Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week, asking him to reverse the call. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Four House Republicans Join Democrats to Limit Trump's War Powers & Karen Bass Advances in L.A. Mayor Race Jun 05, 2026

Four House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution for the first time that would limit President Trump's powers over the Iran War. The resolution is symbolically powerful, because it represents a growing divide between GOP lawmakers, especially those concerned about the war's effect on rising gas and food prices here at home. Meanwhile, California's primary election results are still trickling in for the mayoral and gubernatorial races. Incumbent Karen Bass is advancing to the November general election, while Spencer Pratt is leading City Councilmember Nithya Raman in the L.A. mayor's race, though many mail-in ballots remain uncounted. In the governor's race, Republican Steve Hilton is leading and likely to face Democrat Xavier Becerra in the general election.

California Primaries, Russia Launches Massive Attack on Kyiv; Hunger and Labor Strike at New Jersey ICE Facility Jun 03, 2026

Explosions echoed overnight across Ukraine, as Russia fired hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Kyiv and nearby cities in one of the Kremlin's largest offensives in recent months. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, advocates are rallying on Tuesday to protest Trump's mass deportation policies, following weeks of demonstrations at the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, where detainees have gone on hunger and labor strikes over what advocates say are harsh and inhumane conditions. And voters are heading to the polls today in California to cast ballots in some of the country's most high-profile primaries, from the race for governor to the battle for L.A. mayor, though L.A. County is notorious for slow election counts and results could take days. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Serena Williams' Shocking Return; U.S.-Iran Tensions Rise & L.A. Votes on Key Ballot Measures Jun 02, 2026

Gas prices dropped modestly on Monday morning, even as crude oil prices jumped following a new round of military strikes between the U.S. and Iran. The drop may not last long, as gas price changes typically trail oil prices by a few days. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, voters across the city and county will also decide on several ballot measures that could impact taxes, healthcare, hotels, and the cannabis industry, with the biggest county-wide question being a proposed half-cent sales tax to help fund public hospitals and clinics. And Serena Williams, the greatest women's tennis player of all time, is returning to the tour four years after she left the sport. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion is taking a wild card invite to play doubles next week at Queen's Club, a prestigious grass-court tournament that precedes Wimbledon. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Bass, Raman, Pratt in Dead Heat as L.A. Mayoral Election Nears Jun 01, 2026

The showdown for LA mayor is tighter than ever. New polling from UC Berkeley co-sponsored by the L.A. Times shows Karen Bass at 26%, City Council Member Nithya Raman at 25%, and former reality TV personality Spencer Pratt at 22%, meaning Bass has a statistically insignificant lead. Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed Bass, and she's secured support from major political groups. But Pratt's anti-establishment campaign is gaining traction. Voters will also decide seven City Council seats, the City Attorney, Controller, three School Board spots, and ballot measures on hotel and cannabis taxes. On the county level, races include Sheriff, Board of Supervisors, a healthcare sales tax, and Superior Court judge positions. If you plan to vote by mail in the California primary, it's not too late. You can drop your ballot at an official drop box, take it to a polling center by 8 p.m. on election day Tuesday, June 2, or mail it. But if you send it by mail, your ballot must be postmarked on or before June 2. If you missed the voter registration deadline in May, you can still cast a ballot through the same-day conditional voter registration process by heading to a vote center or county election office. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Trump's Mission to 'Make America Great Again' & Pope Leo Addresses Artificial Intelligence Risks May 28, 2026

Down in Texas, a stunning Republican runoff election could give Democrats an edge in the upcoming U.S. Senate race after Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime incumbent John Cornyn. Meanwhile, Leo is speaking about the risks of artificial intelligence, pushing for more significant regulations around AI. In his first encyclical, Pope Leo says artificial intelligence needs to be “disarmed." Read more at https://www.latimes.com

U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran, Plus Chemical Crisis in SoCal & Sonny Rollins Remembered May 27, 2026

The fragile ceasefire between the UniteThe fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is under new pressure after the U.S. launched what they called ‘defensive’ strikes on southern Iran on Monday, with Tehran condemning the strikes as a sign of "bad faith and unreliability" as the two sides go back and forth on the terms of a long-term peace deal. Meanwhile, a chemical crisis in Southern California is cooling off. Orange County officials raised concerns late last week that a damaged chemical tank in Garden Grove could explode, forcing nearly 50,000 local residents to evacuate. But some of those evacuation orders were lifted after officials deemed the area safe, saying there was no risk of a catastrophic explosion from Garden Grove's GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems plant. And we remember jazz great Sonny Rollins, who passed away at 95 at his home in Woodstock, New York. He was born in Harlem in the 1930s, and became one of the most famous improvisers in jazz and helped transform the genre into its more expressive and free form, recording more than 60 albums as bandleader and playing with legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Prepares for Record-Breaking IPO Next Month May 22, 2026

SpaceX, Elon Musk's rocket and space company is preparing to go public next month in what could become the biggest IPO to hit Wall Street. New filings reveal a sky-high projection that values the company at just over $1 trillion and estimates the offering could raise between $50 and $75 billion when shares hit the market in June. If it does, the SpaceX IPO would shatter the current record held by Saudi Aramco or the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, which raised about $26 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, James Murdoch is buying half of Vox Media for more than $300 million, with the deal including their podcast network, Vox.com, and New York Magazine. And tonight will be the final night of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” In 2015, Colbert took over from David Letterman, the first and only host of CBS's “The Late Show,” and for most of Colbert’s time with the show, he was the highest-rated late-night host.

Thousands Evacuate as Sandy Fire Spreads Across Simi Valley, Ebola Virus Outbreak, and NBA Conference Finals Primer May 20, 2026

Thousands of families in Southern California's Simi Valley fled their homes on Monday, as crews raced to contain the fast-burning Sandy Fire, which has already scorched more than 1,300 acres, with strong Santa Ana winds threatening to make the fires worse Also, the World Health Organization says it is deeply concerned about a rapidly spreading Ebola virus outbreak, with over 500 suspected cases and more than 130 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. And in the first game of the NBA Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in a double-overtime battle. Meanwhile, another battle is taking shape as the New York Knicks gear up to host the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Read more at https://www.latimes.com/

Trump’s First China Visit in Nearly a Decade, Former Mayor of Arcadia Pleads Guilty to Acting as A Foreign Agent, and Jason Collins Passes May 14, 2026

In Beijing, China, thousands of people lined the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of President Trump as he arrived in China for his first visit in nearly a decade, setting the stage for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump invited 17 of the world's biggest financial leaders to join him on the trip, including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang, with the White House pushing for new deals that could boost American agriculture and aircraft sales and establish a board of trade to help avoid another full-scale tariff war. Meanwhile, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, Eileen Wang, will plead guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent of the Chinese government, a charge that has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. And, former NBA center Jason Collins has passed away at 47 years old after fighting glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. Collins was seen as a trailblazer, as the first openly gay player in any of America's major sports leagues. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

What Is Hantavirus? May 13, 2026

Six years after a cruise ship outbreak of COVID-19 sparked a global pandemic, fears of a similar health crisis are emerging. The World Health Organization says there have been 11 total cases, including three deaths, all among passengers or crew members. Hantavirus is a rare disease, but has a fatality rate between 30 and 40%. It's usually contracted through contact with rodent droppings, but the strain that infected those on board the luxury cruise can be spread from person to person. We spoke with L.A. Times reporter Karen Garcia and Dr. Craig Spencer, an ER doctor and public health expert at Brown University, for more on this. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Pentagon Releases 162 Never-Before-Seen UFO Files — One Expert Says There's Nothing New There May 11, 2026

On Friday, the Pentagon released a batch of never-before-seen files. All 162 documents, photos, and videos are related to what the government calls "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena," or what most people call UFOs. The latest files are posted to a new website from the Department of Defense, and officials say there's more to come, with files to be released to the public on a rolling basis. But one expert and former Department of Defense official that spoke with L.A. Times Studios says there's really nothing new in the files, and that the release without analysis or context could create more conspiracy theories and pseudoscience. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Feds Seize 40 Pounds of Fentanyl in Los Angeles Raid May 08, 2026

40 pounds of fentanyl were seized and 18 people arrested, as federal agents and local authorities in Los Angeles raided MacArthur Park on Wednesday in what First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli is calling "Operation Free MacArthur Park." Following the raid, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said on X that the DEA and LAPD had "taken back MacArthur Park." Meanwhile, what started as a transit dream in 1962 is finally becoming a reality in Los Angeles. After nearly 65 years of roadblocks, the first phase of Metro's long-awaited D Line extension opens on Friday. It'll add nearly four miles of track under Wilshire Boulevard from Koreatown to Beverly Hills with three stations along the way, and Metro says the D Line could dramatically cut commute times. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87, Mamdani's Luxury Property Tax, and Huge Yosemite Crowds May 07, 2026

CNN founder Ted Turner has died at 87. Turner revolutionized television in 1980 by launching CNN, the first 24-hour news channel, creating an "always on" cycle that defines media today. He went on to build a cable empire, including with TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is proposing a pied-à-terre tax on luxury properties over $5 million for owners who don't live in the city full-time. He says it will raise at least $500 million for free child care and other social services. Billionaire Ken Griffin, whose $238 million Central Park penthouse was featured in Mamdani's video on Tax Day, has fired back, calling the tax discriminatory and saying he'll create more jobs and build out his offices in Miami. And if your summer bucket list includes a trip to Yosemite, you might find yourself stuck in hours of traffic instead of taking in the views. The park is seeing its largest crowds in a decade, with more than half a million people visiting so far this year, after the Trump administration slashed the National Park System's staff by 25% in February and ended the reservation system entirely. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Who Controls the Strait of Hormuz, Ohio and Indiana Primaries & Delta to Restrict Free Snacks and Drinks May 06, 2026

Both Iran and the U.S. are claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway where prior to the war about 20% of the world's oil, or over 100 tankers, passed through each day. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth branded this mission "Project Freedom" and described the U.S. as having a "red, white and blue dome over the strait.” Meanwhile, voters in Ohio and Indiana are headed to the polls on Tuesday in primaries that offer a temperature check on President Trump's second term, with gerrymandering at the center of both elections. And Delta announced they'll stop serving free snacks and drinks on flights under 349 miles unless you're sitting in first class, impacting about 500 flights per day starting May 19th. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Kylie Jenner Faces Second Housekeeper Lawsuit, State Department Detains Iranian Greencard Holders in L.A. & Kentucky Derby Kicks Off May 02, 2026

Kylie Jenner is facing a second lawsuit from a former housekeeper, who says she suffered abuse, harassment, and discrimination while working for the celebrity. Meanwhile, the State Department detained five Iranian green card holders, based in the Los Angeles area, and is now trying to strip them of their residency. Far-right influencer Laura Loomer taking credit for two women's arrests and saying she had been "quietly documenting" their social media and sharing that information with the government. And the Kentucky Derby kicks off Saturday, with this year's favorite being Renegade, a bay colt bred in Kentucky. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Could the Iran War End Up Costing the US $1 Trillion? May 01, 2026

The Pentagon says the Iran War is costing $25 billion, but Democratic leaders are skeptical of the pricing, and Harvard’s Linda Bilmes says the war could end up costing up to $1 trillion. "Wars always cost more than expected" is how Bilmes puts it. Meanwhile, a new poll from Ipsos and Reuters found that only 24% of Americans see the war as being worth it. And the Iran War is costing everyday Americans too. The U.S. will keep a naval blockade on Iran until they give up their nuclear program, meaning oil prices will likely remain high, and when oil goes up, so does the cost of shipping, travel, and even groceries. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Trump Wants Kimmel Fired. Now the FCC Is Going After ABC's Licenses. Apr 30, 2026

The FCC is ordering a sweeping review of all broadcast licenses owned by ABC in what is perhaps the most aggressive attempt by the federal government to target the media. Officially, regulators say it’s about an investigation into Disney's diversity and inclusion policies and whether they violate the Communications Act of 1934. But the timing of the FCC review, which could allow them to pull those ABC stations off the air, is hard to ignore, as it comes just days after Jimmy Kimmel's jokes about Melania Trump. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

DOJ Authorizes Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty & Lakers Fall Short of Sweep Apr 28, 2026

The Justice Department is now authorizing firing squads as a method of execution, marking a major shift in federal death penalty policy. The method has rarely been used in modern U.S. history, with only three executions carried out this way since the 1970s. The move is part of a broader push to expand and speed up capital punishment under the Trump administration. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the policy supports victims, while critics, like Alexis Hoag-Fordjour, Professor at Brooklyn Law School and Robin Maher, Executive Director at Death Penalty Information Center, pushback against the move and argue it’s a reaction to prior efforts to limit executions. And the Lakers failed to sweep the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of the first round playoff series. The Rockets capitalized on the excessive turnovers from the Lakers and a poor performance from Lebron James. The Lakers are coming back home for Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead, where they will face the Rockets with Kevin Durant back on the roster without key players like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Read more at https://LATimes.com

Why Rideshare Drivers Are Ditching the Apps Apr 21, 2026

Right now, Americans are paying on average $4 per gallon at the pump, and in California, where the average price of regular gas is $6 per gallon, rideshare drivers with companies, like Uber and Lyft, say it's becoming more and more difficult to make a living. LA Times Studios caught up with Sergio Avedian, a rideshare driver who's notched over 10,000 trips and is a senior contributor at "The Rideshare Guy" blog, and Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics for more on what’s happening. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

CA Rep. Eric Swalwell Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign After Sexual Assault Allegations and Péter Magyar To Become Next Hungarian PM Apr 14, 2026

Congressman Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign following reports that he sexually assaulted a former staffer; allegations also came out that he sent multiple women explicit photos and text messages. The congressman, who up until this weekend led the polls in a crowded field of Democratic candidates, now faces a criminal investigation and pressure from some members of Congress to resign, as a bipartisan effort to expel him from the House is quickly gaining steam. Meanwhile, Hungarians are celebrating Péter Magyar's win as the next president of their country, replacing far-right authoritarian Viktor Orbán in a massive moment that will affect the course of politics for Europe and the rest of the world. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

DOJ Investigates NFL for Anticompetitive Tactics and Anthropic's Project Glasswing Apr 10, 2026

Anthropic is now briefing the government and starting an effort called Project Glasswing, giving 50 tech organizations like Microsoft and Nvidia access to their new platform Mythos Preview in an attempt to strengthen digital defenses. Meanwhile, an exclusive Wall Street Journal report reveals the U.S. Justice Department's investigation into whether the NFL is engaging in anticompetitive tactics that harm consumers. And, for nearly a decade, Californians watched as their neighbors left the state in record numbers, but research from the California Policy Lab shows the biggest driver is simple: affordability. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

U.S. and Iran Reach Ceasefire Deal and AI is Driving Up San Francisco Home Prices Apr 09, 2026

The United States and Iran came to a ceasefire deal on Tuesday night, expected to last two weeks, but Iran is already saying Israel is violating it by continuing attacks on Lebanon. The ceasefire came just a day after President Trump warned he would destroy a "whole civilization" unless Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, nearly 400,000 Los Angeles students could be out of class next week, as three major unions representing teachers, school staff, and administrators threaten a historic strike on April 14th, with the district now considering emergency "hubs" for families with no other childcare options. In business, the AI boom has propelled San Francisco's median home price to a record $2.15 million as high-earning tech workers flood a market with historically low inventory, and California’s data center expansion is facing significant local opposition, causing developers to scrap or delay multi-billion dollar projects, and even shift to other states like Texas. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Oil Prices Jump as Trump Vows ‘Extreme’ Strikes on Iran and Footwear Company Allbirds Sells Its Assets Apr 03, 2026

President Trump said the Iran war is “nearing completion” while warning the U.S. will strike Iran extremely hard over the coming weeks. Oil prices jumped as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained shut down, with global benchmarks climbing above $100 a barrel. In California, a fight over AI infrastructure is growing, with a proposed $40 million data center in Monterey Park facing backlash over cost, noise, and pollution. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom is drawing criticism for a more aggressive social media strategy that pokes fun at conservatives. In business, the eco-friendly footwear company Allbirds has agreed to sell its assets to American Exchange Group for a fraction of its previous $4 billion valuation, and Trader Joe’s continues its steady growth with new locations in Paso Robles and Anaheim Hills. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Supreme Court Takes Up Trump's Birthright Citizenship Case and Apple Celebrates 50th Anniversary Apr 02, 2026

On the first day of his second term in office, President Trump signed an executive order arguing that babies born in the United States to parents who are either undocumented immigrants or temporary foreign visitors are not citizens, going against U.S. policy that dates back more than 150 years based on a longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment. On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court took up that question again, and in a historic move, Trump attended the oral arguments in person, something no sitting president has ever done before. We should see a decision on this in late June or early July. Meanwhile, for the first time in more than 50 years, humans are headed for the moon. On Wednesday evening, NASA's Artemis II is launching four astronauts on a lunar fly-around. Already, the mission is making history, the crew includes the first woman, the first person of color, and the first non-American to set off for the moon, with liftoff scheduled from Cape Canaveral, Florida. In business, organizers of the Barbie Dream Fest in Florida are issuing full refunds after attendees reported the high-priced immersive event failed to meet expectations, and Apple is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Trump Deploys 2,000 Troops to Iran as War Approaches One Month Mar 26, 2026

The United States and Israel's war on Iran is going on a month now, with Iran reportedly dismissing President Trump's ceasefire plan and offering a proposal of their own. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is ordering 2,000 soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. In total, an estimated 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed throughout the region in what the Pentagon is calling "Operation Epic Fury." And lawmakers are facing intense pressure to fund the Department of Homeland Security as travel chaos spreads across the country, with the Senate appearing to be closing in on a deal that would fund parts of DHS like TSA, but not ICE, which has been at the core of the dispute. Now, airlines are turning up the heat on lawmakers. Delta Airlines announced Wednesday that it will suspend special accommodations for members of Congress, including airport escorts and priority travel support. In business, Amazon-backed Zoox is quadrupling its autonomous vehicle service area in San Francisco and preparing for launches in Austin and Miami, and plus-size fashion retailer Torrid is shuttering a significant portion of its physical locations as it shifts focus toward digital sales. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Under Intense Scrutiny Over DHS, Markwayne Mullin Sworn In as Secretary and Why Discount Retailers Like Ross Are Growing in California Mar 25, 2026

Markwayne Mullin was sworn in Tuesday as DHS secretary, taking the reins of a department that's faced growing scrutiny over its immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations. The Oklahoma senator and former MMA fighter is an ally of President Trump and has long supported his predecessor, Kristi Noem. Meanwhile, a University of Southern California professor created a methodology that determined which candidates from the California gubernatorial race should be invited to a debate. That debate was supposed to happen on Tuesday night, but USC canceled it with less than 24 hours notice after they received backlash for not including any candidates of color. In business, discount retailers like Ross are seeing record growth in California as consumers pivot away from traditional department stores, and developers of the massive One Beverly Hills luxury complex have secured $4.3 billion in financing to complete the 17.5-acre project. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Plane Crash at LaGuardia Airport Kills 2 Pilots, Injures Dozens Mar 24, 2026

At New York City's LaGuardia Airport, two pilots were killed and dozens more injured after an Air Canada plane crashed into a Port Authority fire truck. The Federal Aviation Administration closed LaGuardia until the late afternoon on Monday. The fatal collision comes as anxiety surrounding air travel is already growing due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has led to hourslong security lines at some airports tied to a nationwide shortage of TSA agents. Meanwhile, President Trump calmed some market uncertainty brought on by the war in Iran, which is entering its fourth week, announcing a five-day moratorium on U.S. attacks of Iranian energy sites; this caused oil prices to come down, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all ticking up. In business, California lawmakers are debating a bipartisan bill that would prohibit children under 16 from maintaining social media accounts, and Uber is partnering with Rivian to deploy up to 50,000 autonomous R2 robotaxis across North America and Europe by 2031. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

$6.2 Billion Nexstar-Tegna Merger Closes Despite Lawsuit and SoCal Defense Startups Secure Funding Boost Mar 23, 2026

A deal to merge two of the largest local television news companies, Nexstar and Tegna, closed Thursday despite a lawsuit from the attorneys general of eight states to block it. The Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department approved the $6.2 billion deal, clearing the way for Nexstar to expand its already massive broadcast operation. Meanwhile, Muslims around the world are celebrating the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It's a day traditionally greeted with joy as families and friends gather in prayer, enjoy traditional delicacies, and take part in vibrant festivities, but this year the celebration comes amid conflict, with war in and across the Middle East. In business, Edison International's CEO received a significant pay raise despite ongoing scrutiny over its potential role in the fatal Eaton Fires, and a new bipartisan bill restored billions in federal funds to help Southern California aerospace and defense startups. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Cesar Chavez's Legacy Under Question After Sexual Abuse Allegations and Disney Has a New CEO Mar 20, 2026

Cesar Chavez's name adorns city streets and university buildings, but later this month, Californians for the first time will celebrate Farmworkers Day after lawmakers voted on Thursday to change the name of the state holiday. This comes after a New York Times investigation came out Wednesday under the headline "Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years." It was a watershed moment and a time of reckoning with Chavez's legacy. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is racing to contain a growing global energy crisis as the war with Iran pushes oil prices further. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business on Thursday that the U.S. government could lift sanctions on Iranian oil, freeing up more than 100 million barrels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. In business, Josh D’Amaro has officially succeeded Bob Iger as CEO of Disney, and travelers face increasing ticket prices as jet fuel costs surge globally. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Arizona Hits Kalshi With Criminal Charges and Amazon Is Making One-Hour Deliveries Mar 19, 2026

As the Iran War rages on, it's continuing to cause ripples across the global economy, including an increase in the cost of jet fuel, meaning flights might get more expensive for consumers. Meanwhile, as controversial prediction markets take off, one of the biggest names in the industry, Kalshi, is being hit with criminal charges by the state of Arizona. And, just a year after the deadly 2025 Eaton fires, Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, which claimed responsibility for the blaze, rewarded two of their top executives with massive paydays. In business, Amazon has launched a one-hour delivery service in Los Angeles and hundreds of other cities, and Grindr is introducing AI features for premium subscribers to improve user matching and conversation tracking. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

U.S. National Counterterrorism Center Director Resigns Over Iran War and Uber Co-Founder Leaves California Mar 18, 2026

The SAVE America Act, a controversial election bill backed by President Trump, is headed for a Senate showdown. It would be one of the largest revisions to voting rights in U.S. history. Meanwhile, National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent is resigning, writing on X that he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," which has left over 1,400 Iranians dead. And, Southern California is bracing for what climate scientist Daniel Swain is calling a "full on summer heat wave in March," with temperatures expected to peak Tuesday through Friday, reaching the 80s on the coast, and inland, possibly over 100 degrees. In business, Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick has confirmed his relocation to Texas, joining a growing list of billionaires leaving California ahead of a proposed 5% wealth tax, and Downtown Los Angeles advocates are pushing for the adoption of San Francisco’s "Vacant to Vibrant" program to fill retail vacancies. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

FCC Chair Threatens to Revoke U.S. News Licenses and El Pollo Loco Announces Expansion Plans Mar 17, 2026

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr is threatening to revoke the licenses of news outlets that fail to align their reporting with what his agency deems the public interest. Meanwhile, leaders of the country's top airlines are urging Congress to end the partial government shutdown, which has left tens of thousands of TSA agents working without pay. The CEOs of American, JetBlue, Delta, and Southwest sent an open letter to lawmakers Sunday, calling on them to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA. In business, El Pollo Loco plans to open 20 locations outside of California after reporting high sales numbers last year, and the luxury outdoor mall Victoria Gardens sold for $500 million dollars to a real estate venture group. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

At Least 13 US Service Members Killed in Iran War & Senate Passes Housing Bill Mar 16, 2026

The U.S. military announced the death of six service members, who lost their lives when a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, bringing the total to at least 13 U.S. troops killed in the Iran War. At least 1,300 Iranian civilians have been killed. Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday passed the most significant housing bill in about 35 years to address the nation's housing crisis. New data shows U.S. economic growth slowed at the end of 2025 after the record-long government shutdown. Hundreds of Los Angeles residents are wearing body cameras to record their daily chores, providing data to help train AI. And, California gas prices have reached an average of $5.20 per gallon, sparking renewed interest in electric vehicles, despite the elimination of federal tax credits and production cutbacks by major automakers. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

California's Wealthy Go to Florida Amid Billionaire Tax Fight & IEA to Release 400 Million Barrels of Oil from Reserves Mar 13, 2026

Florida's no state income tax and pro-business policies are making it a haven for the wealthy, especially tech billionaires from California. Meanwhile, Iran's attacks on commercial ships and oil refineries in the Persian Gulf have prompted the International Energy Agency to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves, with the U.S. contributing 172 million barrels. And Noma's head chef René Redzepi is stepping down from the restaurant he helped create in 2003, but his LA pop-up will go on. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Noma LA Pop-Up Loses Sponsors After Chef René Redzepi Abuse Allegations and Yamaha Leaves California Mar 12, 2026

The show will go on for Noma's pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles’s Silver Lake neighborhood, but some of Noma's sponsors like American Express, Resy, and Blackbird are pulling out of the 16-week event after allegations of abusive behavior by chef and co-founder René Redzepi toward his staff. Meanwhile, your trip to LAX might cost you more than usual as the airport starts charging rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft, and taxis higher access fees. The new fees will take effect later this summer when the airport opens its long-delayed automated train known as Skylink. In business, Yamaha Motor Corp. announces it will relocate its California operations to Kennesaw, Georgia, by the end of 2028, and Disney names Thomas Mazloum as the new chairman of Disney Experiences, overseeing theme parks and cruise lines. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Iran War Update: Trump Says End Is Near as US Launches Massive Strikes and Ross Stores Sets Expansion Plans Mar 11, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed that Tuesday will be the “most intense” day of strikes on Iran. When asked about the timeline of the conflict, Hegseth and President Trump have given mixed messages. On Monday, Trump told CBS News that the war with Iran is “very complete,” before reversing course later in the day. Meanwhile, AI company Anthropic is suing the Department of Defense after being labeled a supply chain risk last week. The company alleges the government violated its First Amendment rights following disputes over how federal agencies could use Anthropic’s technology. In business, Ross has opened two new locations in Alhambra and North Hollywood as part of a national plan to launch 110 stores this year, and Beyond Meat officially rebranded as "Beyond The Plant Protein Co." to reflect its expansion into protein drinks and bars. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Oil Prices Soar Past $100 Per Barrel, Iran Taps New Supreme Leader and Labubu Maker Has a New HQ Mar 10, 2026

Oil prices surged Monday as the war in Iran escalates. Brent crude, the international benchmark, briefly climbed near $120 a barrel after Iran announced Mojtaba Khamenei will succeed his father as Supreme Leader. Meanwhile, travelers at some airports across the U.S. reported hours-long security lines as TSA agents prepare to go without pay during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. In business, Chinese Labubu maker Pop Mart has opened its 22,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters in Culver City, and Grocery Outlet announced it will close 36 underperforming stores by the end of the year. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

U.S. Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship in Indian Ocean, California’s Wine Industry is Running Dry Mar 06, 2026

The war on Iran continues to quickly escalate into a broader regional conflict. Iran is accusing the United States of an "atrocity at sea" after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. Civilian casualties from Israeli and U.S. attacks have topped 1,000, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Meanwhile, Paramount's deal to purchase Warner Brothers Discovery could soon bring two of the most powerful networks in television news, CNN and CBS News, together under one roof — forcing the longtime competitors into a potentially complex partnership. The Los Angeles City Council recognized the Brady Bunch home as a historic cultural landmark. California wineries are facing severe decline due to grape oversupply, decreased demand from younger consumers, and international trade boycott. And, Varda Space Industries has leased a former Mattel plant in El Segundo to scale its operations. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Iranian Death Toll Surpasses 700; Iran Attacks U.S. Embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Mar 04, 2026

The United States' war on Iran is quickly expanding into a regional conflict. On its fourth day, Iran attacked the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, coming after their attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. In total, over 700 Iranians have been killed as of Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Texas, as voters head to the polls to cast their ballots in one of the first primary elections in the country. The race has already become the most expensive primary in U.S. history, with more than $15 million spent on advertising, according to AdImpact. Democrats haven't won a statewide election since 1994, and they're hoping to make history in November. In business, California gas prices may rise due to the U.S. war on Iran, and Paramount plans to merge its streaming platform with HBO Max as part of its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Special Report: Iran & U.S. Exchange Attacks After Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed Mar 03, 2026

Over the weekend, the United States and Israel attacked Iran, killing the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, over 500 Iranians, four U.S. soldiers, and at least 11 Israelis have been killed, according to reports. Iran has retaliated by striking at least six U.S. military facilities across the Middle East and attacking luxury hotels and airports in Dubai. President Trump says the U.S. military will continue to attack Iran for four to five weeks, if necessary. And, already the war is having dramatic effects on global markets, with oil and gas prices surging nearly 10%. However, about 20% of the world's oil supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz, where tanker traffic has effectively been shut down. In business, compounding factors are driving car insurance prices up in California, and Coco Robotics introduced Coco 2, an upgraded version of its autonomous food delivery robot. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Paramount-Skydance to Own Warner Bros. Discovery and Fire Safety Violations Keep Moreno Valley Mall Largely Closed Mar 02, 2026

After more than two months of tug-of-war for Warner Brothers Discovery, Netflix is dropping the rope and clearing the way for Paramount Skydance to take over one of Hollywood's most iconic studios. Meanwhile, more fallout after the FBI raided Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's home and office on Wednesday. And from flood watch to heat warnings, Southern California is rounding out February with more extreme weather. After a series of winter storms pummeled the Southland earlier this month, damaging roads and flooding businesses, a high-pressure system is sending temperatures 15 to 20 degrees above normal. In business, the majority of Moreno Valley Mall remains closed after city officials found hundreds of fire safety violations, and Trader Joe's issued a nationwide frozen chicken fried rice due to potential glass contamination. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

‘One Battle After Another’s’ Teyana Taylor on riding the ‘slingshot’ of success Feb 27, 2026

In this episode of The Envelope podcast, Teyana Taylor describes the “slingshot” of success that’s come with “One Battle After Another” and shares her insights as to why fictional revolutionary Perfidia Beverly Hills does what she does in the film.

President Trump Delivers Longest State of the Union Address on Record and the Graffiti Towers Have a New Owner Feb 26, 2026

President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address on record Tuesday night, presenting an upbeat, defiant vision of America. But recent polling tells a different story: 57% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy and 64% disapprove of his tariff policy. Meanwhile, Dr. Casey Means, Trump's controversial nominee for U.S. surgeon general, testified before the Senate on Wednesday seeking confirmation after the role sat empty for over a year. And in Los Angeles, autonomous delivery robots require an entire field team to keep them clean, charged, and safe, creating a new gig economy job: robot wranglers. In business, developer Kali P. Chaudhuri has agreed to purchase downtown Los Angeles’ unfinished Oceanwide Plaza that became infamous for its graffiti, and Public Storage becomes the latest company to leave California. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Trump Delivers 2026 State of the Union Address and California's Insurance Commissioner Race Heats Up Feb 25, 2026

President Trump’s State of the Union comes as a majority of American voters disapprove of how he is handling the economy, immigration, tariffs, healthcare, and foreign policy, according to a recent Wall Street Journal poll. Also, Savannah Guthrie is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother Nancy's recovery. Meanwhile, the San Diego-based fast food chain, Jack in the Box, has struggled quite a bit. The chain lost over $400 million on the acquisition of Del Taco; Jack in the Box closed more than 60 locations, raised prices, and are now embroiled in tension over their board chairman. In business, seven candidates have entered the race for California Insurance Commissioner following a devastating wildfire season, and Uber announced it’s preparing to launch robotaxis in Los Angeles within the next few months under its "Uber Autonomous Solutions" program. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Prince Andrew Arrested in Jeffrey Epstein Investigation and Tesla Revises Marking Language to Resolve CA DMV Dispute Feb 23, 2026

For the first time in nearly 400 years, a senior member of Britain's royal family was arrested. Prince Andrew was arrested by British police on Thursday and questioned about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Bari Weiss, the new CBS News editor-in-chief, cemented her media career around championing free speech. Weiss was slated to give a talk at UCLA for their prestigious Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture Series. But, she’s withdrawing from the event, citing security concerns. UCLA, however, says the decision was made solely by Weiss and her team and that the university was ready to put in place comprehensive measures to ensure her safety. In business, California regulators decided not to suspend Tesla’s sales after the company revised the marketing language for its "Full Self-Driving" feature, and OpenAI has been temporarily blocked from using the name “Cameo” for an AI video feature after the celebrity video platform sued over trademark infringement. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Trump's Board of Peace Meets for First Time and L.A.'s Westside Get Its First Ikea Feb 20, 2026

President Trump's Board of Peace met for the first time to discuss goals for redevelopment in Gaza, where more than 70,000 Palestinians have died over two years of war. And, more news is coming out about a High Sierra tragedy—the avalanche that left eight skiers dead and one still missing; of the 15 skiers who set out with Blackbird Mountain Guides, six were rescued and two remain hospitalized, but are expected to recover. It's now the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Senator Bernie Sanders is taking aim at billionaires, helping a campaign to tax California's wealthiest residents. The proposal would impose a one-time 5% tax on the total wealth of billionaires in the state. In business, L.A's westside is getting its first Ikea, and California regulators approved new rules that would ban blackjack in card rooms. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Eight Skiers Found Dead Near Lake Tahoe and L.A. Fire Survivors Face Unexpected Power Line Costs Feb 19, 2026

Just northwest of Lake Tahoe, eight of the nine skiers that were still trapped under an avalanche were found dead on Wednesday afternoon. The search for the remaining person has turned into a recovery mission more than 24 hours after the collapse buried 15 backcountry skiers under the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. Meanwhile, public comments sent out by an AI-powered advocacy company might’ve led, in part, to a Southern California plan being scrapped that would’ve placed fees on new gas furnaces and water heaters in an effort to cut back on smog-forming pollution. And, it’s a day of celebration for Mikaela Shiffrin, who took gold in slalom. Shiffrin’s the most decorated skier in Olympic history, but failed to medal at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Mikaela Shiffrin is so back. In business, fire survivors in Altadena say connecting to Southern California Edison’s new underground power lines could cost $20,000 to $40,000 per home, and Rivian's shares jumped up after reporting a profitable year despite a broader slowdown in the EV industry. Read more at LATimes.com.

Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson and Chipotle Reports Its Worst Year Ever Feb 18, 2026

Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., died at the age of 84. As leaders around the world reflect on his legacy, Jackson is remembered as one of the nation’s most powerful voices for Black Americans. In other news, Warner Bros. Discovery is giving Paramount Skydance seven days to submit its “best and final” offer to buy the entire studio, including Warner’s cable channels and HBO Max. The move comes after Paramount submitted an enhanced offer last week, complicating Netflix’s proposed $82.7 billion deal. And happy Lunar New Year! The Year of the Fire Horse is said to inspire action, confidence and independence. In business, Chipotle reports its worst business year since going public 20 years ago, and Mattel saw its shares plunge after reporting weak holiday sales due to miscalculated Barbie doll demands. Read more at LATimes.com.

DHS Barrels Towards Shutdown as Congress Leaves Washington and a CA Bill May Provide Mortgage Relief to LA Fire Victims Feb 16, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security could shut down this weekend if lawmakers leave Washington for a holiday break without reaching a deal on a funding bill. Meanwhile, inflation cooled in January. New data shows U.S. inflation at 2.4%, just above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. In other news, President Trump repealed the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases, reversing years of federal climate policy. And in Southern California, a storm is expected to bring moderate rain and potentially dangerous waves to the coast next week. In business, a proposed California bill would extend mortgage relief for homeowners rebuilding after the Palisades and Eaton fires, and Wall Street is selling stocks seen as vulnerable to artificial intelligence disruption. Read more at LATimes.com.

The L.A. Power Players in the Epstein Files and Social Media Giants Agree to Teen Safety Ratings Feb 13, 2026

Newly released Justice Department records tied to Jeffrey Epstein mention several prominent Los Angeles figures, including Casey Wasserman, Barry Josephson and Brett Ratner. The documents contain emails, photos and other records ranging from professional to personal, underscoring the breadth of Epstein’s network before his 2019 death while facing sex trafficking charges. Meanwhile, L.A. County officials have voted to place a half-cent sales tax increase on the June ballot. Supporters say the measure would offset expected federal healthcare cuts, while critics question its oversight and impact on taxpayers. In business, major social media companies including Meta, TikTok, and Snap will be evaluated under a new teen safety rating system, and Los Angeles has approved a new adaptive reuse ordinance allowing office buildings to convert into housing.

Why the El Paso Airport Shutdown and the Westminster Mall Finally Has a Demolition Date Feb 12, 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration shut down flights coming in and out of El Paso Airport for 10 days, citing "special security reasons." But then, pretty quickly, lifted that order. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says drones from Mexican cartels breached U.S. airspace. And in California, nine people have died inside LA County jails so far this year, an alarming number for the sheriff's department, who's already under investigation by the state over conditions in local lockups. Also, Elon Musk is making waves by merging SpaceX with his AI company. Will there be an AI data center in space? In business, a Super Bowl commercial has ignited a public dispute about ads in chatbots, and the Westminster Mall now has a demolition date. Read more at LATimes.com.

Billionaire Tax Coming to California and How BYD Dethroned Tesla Feb 11, 2026

A proposed tax on billionaires in California: Governor Gavin Newsom is against it, Senator Bernie Sanders is for it. Sanders is soon kicking off a campaign to get that measure across the finish line. Basically, the idea is a one-time 5% tax on the assets of the over 200 billionaires in California. Supporters need signatures from about 875,000 registered voters to submit to election officials by the end of June for the measure to qualify for the November election. Meanwhile, San Francisco public schools shut down on Monday, as teachers walked off the job for the first time in nearly 50 years. San Francisco Unified School District is only offering teachers a 6% raise and limited coverage, blaming decreased state funding and a massive deficit. In business, a survey found that Los Angeles and Long Beach homes are among the most expensive in the nation, and BYD toppled Tesla as the world’s leading electric vehicle seller last year due to increased competition due to the end of federal EV tax incentives, growing competition overseas and brand damage. Read more at LATimes.com.

Savannah Guthrie's Mother Missing One Week After Arizona Kidnapping and Kaiser Permanente Workers Raise Fight Against AI Feb 10, 2026

Sunday marked one week since Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie, was kidnapped from her home in Arizona. Meanwhile, in Italy, the home of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, U.S. athletes are speaking out about politics back home. And in 1946, Minute Maid figured out a way to make orange juice a year-round breakfast staple. But now, after 80 years, the company is halting sales of its frozen juice cans. In business, healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente are raising one of California’s first major labor challenges over artificial intelligence, and 25-year-old Ali Ansari is nearing billionaire status after co-founding an AI startup that employs human experts like lawyers and doctors to train AI models. Read more at LATimes.com.

2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Begin and Graffiti Towers Agreement Clears a Path for Cleanup Feb 09, 2026

It's the first day of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Hockey, curling, alpine skiing, luge, and now a new sport: ski mountaineering, also known as "skimo." And another storyline to follow is the return of superstar skier Lindsey Vonn, who was on the sidelines for five years before returning for this year's Olympics. Meanwhile, a $16 billion plan called the Hudson River Tunnel Project is kaput for now after President Trump announced he's withholding its funding. It was seen as one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the country. Also, in Los Angeles, traffic jams don't just happen on the freeways, they're happening in the sky too, with the airspace over Hollywood Burbank Airport being some of the most congested in the country. In business, the graffiti towers, officially known as the Oceanwide Plaza, reached a bankruptcy agreement that may open the path to its sale and cleanup, and the Teamsters of California are calling for the state to ban Waymo cars after one struck a child in Santa Monica. Read more at LATimes.com.

U.S. and Russia Closing in on New Arms Control Treaty Deal and California Job Losses Slow in January Feb 06, 2026

United States and Russia are reportedly closing in on a deal to continue the expiring arms control treaty called New START. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has joined the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Response Network. Meanwhile in California, officials have green-lit a controversial plan to eliminate all the deer on Catalina island. And for the first time in over ten years, NHL players are preparing to face off on Olympic ice. In business, the Eddie Bauer retailer may close its stores as its parent company prepares to file for bankruptcy, and new data shows California’s job losses slowed in January even as layoffs surged nationwide. Read more at LATimes.com.

Government Reopens and California Lawmakers Pressure Insurance Companies Feb 05, 2026

In Washington, the government has, in fact, reopened from after a partial shutdown. Also, President Trump is suggesting the federal government take control of some state elections, which at the moment is illegal. Meanwhile, in New York City, companies are throwing their hat in the ring for a $1.1 billion contract with the city to design subway turnstiles that, in part, prevent fare evasion. And in Los Angeles, several local leaders are calling on the chair of the LA28 Olympics Committee, Casey Wasserman, to resign. In business, California lawmakers are demanding answers from major insurers over strict documentation requirements, and quantum computing company D-Wave plans to move its headquarters to Boca Raton, Florida. Read more at LATimes.com.

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil's Prediction and the Modern Day Space Race's Central Coast Takeover Feb 03, 2026

It's Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, meaning his prediction is six more weeks of winter weather. Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., the House Rules Committee is meeting on Monday in an effort to fully reopen the government. And Americans are living longer than ever; in 2024, U.S. life expectancy reached 79 years old, the highest mark in country history. In business, the modern day space race is taking over California's Central Coast, raising environmental concerns, and a Palo Alto company is selling flying vehicles that customers can fly within limited airspace and without a pilot's license. Read more at LATimes.com.

Challenger Explosion 40th Anniversary and Amazon Layoffs Jan 29, 2026

Forty years ago today, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after taking off at Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center; New Hampshire Public Radio spoke to people who knew Christa McAuliffe, who was going to be the first teacher in space. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve voted to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, despite heavy pressure from the White House to lower borrowing costs. Also, new data shows median rent in LA dropped to about $2,100 in December, the lowest in four years. And for the first time since the pandemic, California's population has stalled. In business, California Covered enrollees may see higher premiums now that pandemic-era health insurance subsidies have expired, and Amazon says it will layoff 16,000 workers and shut down its brick-and-mortar stores. Read more at LATimes.com.

TikTok Settles Social Media Addiction Case and Boba Giant Mixue Lands in L.A. Jan 28, 2026

TikTok agreed to settle a landmark social media addiction case on Tuesday, just before a jury trial against three of the world's biggest tech companies kicked off. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis as early as today, according to the Associated Press. Also, survivors and many others observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Meanwhile, Highway One through Big Sur is fully open for the first time in more than three years, but experts fear climate change could threaten more closures. And, Noma's superstar chef René Redzepi is bringing his food to LA—a tasting menu in Silver Lake that'll go on from March 11th until June 26th—at the cool price of $1,500 for a reservation. In business, Chinese boba giant Mixue opened its first U.S. location in Hollywood. Soon after the opening, it launched more locations in various New York neighborhoods. Read more at LATimes.com.

Minnesotans Protest Against ICE and the Historic Radford Studio Defaults On Its Mortgage Jan 26, 2026

Hundreds of businesses across Minnesota are expected to close on Friday as part of a general strike against the tactics and actions of ICE. New York Times columnist Lydia Polgreen described what she saw in Minneapolis as a "civil war." And after decades of debate, Metro's board unanimously approved plans for a multibillion-dollar underground rail line through the Sepulveda Pass in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, more than 175 million Americans are facing winter weather warnings with a massive storm barreling across the country. And before Ernest Hemingway was discharged in 1961 from St. Marys Hospital in Minnesota, he gave Sister Immaculata his novella "The Old Man and the Sea," inscribing a personal note in it; that book is now in the hands of the Nobel Prize Museum in Sweden for the world to see. In business, an L.A. startup is using SpaceX rocket-engine technology to cool data centers, and the historic Radford Studio Center defaults on its mortgage due to Hollywood's production slowdown. Read more at LATimes.com.

Trump Launches Board of Peace at Davos and Speedo Moves Its Headquarters Jan 23, 2026

President Trump signs his Board of Peace charter at Davos on Thursday. Also, two updates about ongoing ICE operations. First, ICE is targeting immigrants in what DHS officials are calling "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine, though state officials there are pushing back on this plan. Meanwhile, California senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff toured, for a second time, California's most recent ICE facility on the books. The detention center is a former prison, and immigrants in a federal class action lawsuit accused DHS of sewage water in showers and foul drinking water. In business, Kim Kardashian's brand Skims pays $200,000 dollars to settle fraud allegations in New Jersey, and Speedo moves its headquarters from Orange County to Long Beach ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Read more at LATimes.com

Ep 325 Trump Doubles Down on Greenland in Davos and California Reaches Clean Air Vehicle Goals Jan 22, 2026

President Trump spoke at Davos on Wednesday morning, reaffirming his desire to take over Greenland, which has been an autonomous territory of Denmark for more than 300 years; world leaders, though, are pushing back on Trump's plan. Meanwhile, one of the biggest stories in Hollywood just took another turn. Netflix is amending its $72 billion bid of Warner Brothers Discovery to pay the full amount in cash rather than a mix of cash and stock. And for months, people living in Hancock Park in the Wilshire area of Los Angeles say their neighborhood has been left in the dark after copper thieves stripped wiring from streetlights, leaving them in the dark. Why are people stealing copper? Well, the metal is a hot commodity. In business, a shop on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles is selling thrifted clothes and beauty items from influencers to combat fast fashion, and California Governor Gavin Newsom announces that the state reached its clean air vehicle goals last year, which were set in 2010 by then Governor Jerry Brown. Read more at LATimes.com.

Inside Trump’s First Year Back in the White House | Headline News 01/20/2026 Jan 21, 2026

During the first year of his second term, President Trump took unprecedented actions. Meanwhile in Greenland, protests erupted over the weekend as Trump doubled down on his threats to take over the autonomous territory from Denmark. The President says the acquisition is necessary for security reasons, though others have denied that Greenland is under threat from China or Russia. And in California, San Diego’s development boom is shining a spotlight on Los Angeles’s own housing crisis; San Diego is building apartments at nearly twice the rate of LA, where new construction plummeted 33% over the past three years. Read more at LATimes.com.

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty After U.S. Seizure, Trump Claims Control of Venezuela, Washington Political Turmoil, Record SoCal Rain, California Billionaire Tax, BYD Dethrones Tesla Jan 06, 2026

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in a New York courtroom Monday, marking his first appearance since U.S. forces seized him and his wife from their bedroom in Caracas late Friday night. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he is issuing a letter of censure to Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly for participating in a video urging U.S. soldiers to uphold the Constitution. And in other Washington news, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Monday he will not run for a third term. In California, record-setting rain continues, though sunny skies are expected by the weekend. In business, California is weighing a one-time 5% tax on billionaires and their trusts, and Tesla has been overtaken as the world’s top electric vehicle seller by China’s BYD. Read more at LATimes.com.

U.S. Fighter Jets in Puerto Rico, Kennedy Center Renaming Prompts Performer Cancellations, National Guard Patrols New Orleans, Newsom Mobilizes Emergency Crews Ahead of SoCal Rain, 2026 Rose Parade, Sydney Commemorates Bondi Beach Victims Jan 01, 2026

The United States military presence is growing in the Caribbean, with the Southern Command estimating about 15,000 personnel in the region, as tensions continue to build with Venezuela. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., fallout continues after President Trump added his name to the Kennedy Center — jazz supergroup The Cookers are pulling out of their New Year's Eve show there. Also, the National Guard is no longer in Los Angeles, but they’re patrolling New Orleans — exactly one year after a New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street that took the lives of 14 people. In California, the New Year is bringing a new round of rain to the southern part of the state, but even bad weather can't stop the 137th Rose Parade from marching through downtown Pasadena. And as people around the world ring in 2026, there will be partying, but also introspection and reflection; at a New Year's event in Sydney, Australia, a moment of silence – representing a nation's path towards healing — took place to remember the victims of a recent anitsemitic terrorist attack. Read more at LATimes.com.

U.S. Strikes Alleged Drug Facility in South America, DHS Investigates Fraud in Minneapolis, CA DMV's New Reckless Driving Penalties, Tortillas in CA Will Have a New Ingredient, Rams Lose to the Falcons Dec 31, 2025

President Trump said Monday that the U.S. “hit” an alleged drug facility along a shoreline as he escalates pressure on Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security launched a fraud investigation in Minneapolis, targeting suspects accused of stealing billions in government funds. In California, the DMV rolled out a new pilot program aimed at cracking down on reckless driving, with added penalties for motorists clocked at more than 100 miles per hour. The state also became the first in the nation to require folic acid in most tortilla and corn masa products, a move aimed at reducing birth defects. And in sports, the Rams fell 27–24 to the Falcons on Monday night, sliding to the No. 6 seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs. Read more at LATimes.com.

Trump Meets with Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago, Larry Ellison Bolsters Paramount's Warner Bros. Bid, California Lost Immigration Judges in 2025, SoCal Wind Gusts, Hallmark's Holiday Media Empire Dec 30, 2025

President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. The talks focused on securing a U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Over the weekend, Trump also worked to advance a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, speaking by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday before welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Palm Beach, Florida, club later that day. Meanwhile, Paramount’s hostile bid to buy Warner Bros. continues. Last week, the deal gained backing from Larry Ellison, father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, who said he would guarantee more than $40 billion in equity. In California, the state has lost more than a quarter of its immigration judges this year. Some retired, while others were terminated without advance notice, adding pressure to an already overburdened court system. And Southern California is facing another week of extreme weather. After days of storms, forecasters are warning of high winds up to 65 miles per hour through Tuesday. Read more at LATimes.com.

Brown University Shooter Found Dead, ACA Alternatives, Kennedy Center to Include Trump's Name, Ford Mustang Get the Theme Park Treatment, Port of L.A. Expects 2026 Trade Decline, SpaceX's Possible Record IPO Dec 22, 2025

The suspect in the recent Brown and MIT shootings was found dead on Thursday night. Meanwhile, for millions of Americans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, the clock is ticking; open enrollment for 2026 coverage is still open, but many shoppers are feeling sticker shock. Also, the Kennedy Center board votes to include President Trump’s name in the organization’s title. And, Ford's exhibit, "American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience," is now in L.A. Could it boost sales among Gen Z consumers? In business, the Port of Los Angeles is closing a busy 2025, but officials expect trade to fall off next year, and Elon Musk's SpaceX eyes a possible record initial public offering.

Trump's Addresses the Nation, Inflation Slows, FBI Deputy Director Resigns, State Approves Affordable Housing Funds for Eaton Fire Survivors, DMV Threatens to Shut Down Tesla Sales, & More Dec 19, 2025

Warner Bros. Rejects Paramount Bid, Nick Reiner Court Appearance, Palisades Rebuild Update, CVLT Abuse Network Charges, World Cup Ticket Changes, Santa Barbara News-Press Returns, Estimate to Fix Downtown L.A. Building Disputed, Instacart's AI Experiment Dec 18, 2025

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount's hostile bid. Meanwhile, Nick Reiner appeared for the first time in Los Angeles Superior Court and was denied bail. And for nearly a year, Times reporters have been covering the rebuilding efforts in Pacific Palisades, following the devastating fires that destroyed thousands of homes. Meanwhile, Times reporters are reporting that four alleged members of a child sex abuse network have been charged; investigators say the group, CVLT, is mostly dismantled, but has splintered into another entity. Also, some exciting news for sports fans: it may be a bit easier to score tickets to the World Cup in 2026, with a new supporter entry tier for tickets at a fixed rate of $60. And, just up the 101 in Santa Barbara, the city's newspaper, the Santa Barbara News-Press, is back and with a new editor. In business, experts are saying L.A. County's $700 million estimate to retrofit its old headquarters is grossly inflated, and Instacart is facing backlash following an AI experiment that charged customers different prices for the same items.

Bondi Beach Terror Attack Linked to ISIS, U.S. Unemployment Hits Four-Year High, TX Pushes Turning Point USA Into High Schools, Holiday Storm Threatens CA Travel, FCC Pressure Chills Bay Area Radio, Roomba Maker Files for Bankruptcy, and More Dec 17, 2025

The suspected gunmen of an antisemitic terrorist attack in Australia are a father and son, reportedly inspired by ISIS. In the U.S., the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.6%, the highest it's been in four years. Meanwhile, in Texas, the state is moving to expand conservative student clubs in public high schools, with Governor Greg Abbott emphasizing his support for Turning Point USA. Also, in Southern California, forecasters are monitoring a strong storm that's expected to reach the coast on December 23rd and last through Christmas Day. And, new reporting is showing the impact of Brendan Carr's leadership at the Federal Communications Commission on San Francisco-based station KCBS and beyond. In business, the company behind Roomba files for bankruptcy, and an Amazon warehouse near LAX sells for a record price.

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner Deaths, New Year’s Eve Terror Plot Stopped in L.A., Teacher Visa Fees Deepen Shortage, Palisades Hanukkah After Fires, Rams Clinch Playoffs, Fire Survivors Denied Mortgage Relief, AI Floods the Podcast Industry Dec 16, 2025

Hollywood is mourning the death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner; their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested soon after on suspicion of homicide. Meanwhile, federal authorities say they stopped a New Year's Eve terror attack, targeting Los Angeles area businesses, arresting four people involved in the plot. In California, a growing teacher shortage is being made worse by a new Trump administration policy requiring employers to pay a one-time sponsorship fee for new H-1B work visas for international workers. And on the first night of Hanukkah, the Pacific Palisades community stood together for their 38th menorah lighting. In sports, the Los Angeles Rams rallied to beat the Detroit Lions and clinch a playoff berth. In business, homeowners who lost their houses in January’s LA wildfires say banks are denying or limiting mortgage forbearance, despite a state law promising up to a year of relief, and the podcast industry is being reshaped by a surge of AI-generated shows.

Trump Ordered to Withdraw National Guard from L.A., Australia enacts Social Media Ban, Fed Issues Rate Cut, Epstein Grand Jury Files Ordered, Trump Plan Threatens SAVE Program, Steyer Opposes W.B. Bids, Central Valley Fog Creates Hazard & More Dec 11, 2025

A federal judge rules that the Trump administration must withdraw the National Guard from Los Angeles, saying the deployment is no longer lawful. Australia becomes the first country to ban social media use for anyone under 16. The Federal Reserve issues its third interest rate cut of the year. Another court orders the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 grand jury records under the new transparency law. The Trump administration proposes a settlement that could remove millions from the SAVE student loan plan, while Congress extends the Secure Rural Schools Act. Candidate Tom Steyer opposes both Netflix’s and Paramount’s proposed acquisitions of Warner Bros. Discovery. Heavy fog disrupts travel across California’s Central Valley. In business, a major appliance chain abruptly closes, leaving customer orders in limbo, and personal finance columnist Liz Weston explains why everyone should have a will.

Trump Focuses on Affordability in PA., Ghislaine Maxwell Files Unsealing Moves Forward, NVIDIA–China Chip Deal Raises Concerns, Fed Weighs Rate Cuts, L.A. Parking Crackdown, AP's Male Athlete of the Year, Netflix–Warner Bros. Deal Sparks Alarm Dec 10, 2025

President Trump is in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, defending his record on affordability. New details in the Epstein investigation might emerge in the coming days after a federal judge in New York approved the Justice Department's request. Also, Nvidia shares are falling today after Trump announced Monday that the California-based company would be able to sell its H200 AI chip to approved customers in China. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is expected to again lower interest rates. In Los Angeles, Times reporter Karen Garcia profiled Joey Garcia, a working dad by day and a street parking defender by night. And Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is named Male Athlete of the Year by The Associated Press. In business, Netflix's proposed buyout of Warner Bros. is sparking concern in the movie industry, while a closer look at Netflix's CEO, Ted Sarandos, reveals the road to the deal.

Paramount Stages Hostile Bid for Warner Bros., Trump Announces $12B Farm Aid, Immigration Crackdown Widens, Supreme Court Weighs FTC Powers, Zelensky Meets EU Leaders, Death of Farming Tycoon’s Wife Probed, Vincent Thomas Bridge Plan Rejected, and More Dec 09, 2025

Paramount is staging a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Meanwhile, the Trump administration halted immigration applications for people from over 30 countries last week, following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. Also, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could expand President Trump's control over independent federal agencies. Across the pond, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London with European allies. And the investigation into Kerri Ann Abatti's death continues. She was part of one of the most influential farming families in Southern California's Imperial Valley. In business, a Google-backed film by Michael Keaton is aiming to change the narrative on AI, and the California State Transportation Agency rejected plans to raise the height of the Port of Los Angeles Vincent Thomas Bridge as re-decking on the overpass begins.

Netflix Strikes Deal to Acquire Warner Bros., CDC Reverses Hep. B Birth Vaccine Rec., Supreme Court Approves TX Congressional Map, Hegseth Pentagon Comms Breach, CA Expands Farmworker Oversight, LeBron’s Scoring Streak Ends, and Frank Gehry Dies Dec 08, 2025

Netflix agrees to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in an unprecedented Hollywood merger that will reshape the entertainment landscape. The CDC reverses its long-standing recommendation for the hepatitis B birth vaccine, drawing immediate backlash from medical experts. The Supreme Court allows Texas to use a disputed congressional map expected to add GOP seats. A Pentagon watchdog finds Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated communication rules during Yemen strike discussions in a group chat on the "Signal" app. California expands oversight to protect underage farmworkers. LeBron James’ historic scoring streak comes to an end. Architecture pioneer Frank Gehry dies at 96. In business, a Waymo autonomous taxi hits a dog in San Francisco reigniting a fierce debate about safety and Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund moves toward controlling EA in a record-setting buyout.

Trump Escalates Attacks on Somali Immigrants, CBS Plans Primetime Erika Kirk Special, California Unemployment Set to Rise, Costco Challenges Tariffs in Court Dec 05, 2025

President Trump’s remarks targeting Somali immigrants and Rep. Ilhan Omar escalate tensions as federal agents prepare enforcement actions in Minnesota. CBS News announces a primetime special featuring Erika Kirk, marking Editor in Chief Bari Weiss’ on-camera debut and signaling a shift in the network’s editorial approach. In business, a new UCLA report warns California’s unemployment rate will rise as immigration policies hit specific regions and Costco sues the Trump administration to halt global tariffs and recover billions in import duty payments.

Republicans Win Tennessee Special Election, Dells Pledge $6 Billion to Children’s Investment Accounts, L.A. Moves to Bar ICE from Wearing Masks, S.F. Sues Food Giants, California Job Market Falters, Major Landlord Settles Over Collusion Dec 04, 2025

Republican Matt Van Epps wins Tennessee’s special election by a narrower margin, signaling potential movement ahead of 2026. Michael and Susan Dell pledge more than $6 billion to expand President Trump’s new children’s investment accounts, drawing praise and criticism. Los Angeles County advances a measure to bar masked immigration and law enforcement agents, prompting federal pushback. San Francisco files a landmark lawsuit accusing major food companies of deceptively marketing ultra-processed products. In business, California’s job market shows sharp layoffs in tech and entertainment even as the aerospace and defense industries expand, and Greystar agrees to halt algorithmic rent pricing and pay $7 million in a multi-state settlement over alleged collusion that inflated housing costs.

Questions Mount Over Alleged U.S. Kill Order in Venezuela Strikes, Trump Pardons Ex–Honduran President, How 'Stranger Things' Became Netflix’s 'Star Wars,' $10 Billion One Beverly Hills Project Breaks Ground Dec 03, 2025

Lawmakers are demanding answers after reports that U.S. forces striking alleged Venezuelan drug boats were directed to kill survivors — an order Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denies as conflicting statements from the administration fuel concern over legality and oversight. President Trump’s pardon of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández sparks regional uncertainty and potential political repercussions amid Honduras’ Presidential election. generating billions in revenue and driving major economic impact as its final season rolls out. In business, Netflix’s Stranger Things cements itself as the company’s most powerful franchise. and construction begins on the $10-billion One Beverly Hills development.

US Asylum Freeze, Hong Kong Fire, Luigi Mangione Case, Santa Ana Winds, Indian Truck Drivers, & Snapchat Profit Struggles Dec 02, 2025

The Trump administration freezes asylum and Afghan visa processing after a deadly shooting near the White House, raising questions about the future of U.S. immigration policy. In Hong Kong, investigators probe a high-rise fire that killed more than 150 people and exposed construction failures. Luigi Mangione returns to court as his defense fights to suppress key evidence in the murder of a healthcare CEO. Southern California braces for two rounds of Santa Ana winds. California’s Indian truck drivers face license cancellations under new federal rules. Snapchat nears 1 billion users but continues to struggle with profitability.

Comey Case Tossed, Pressure Escalates on U.S. Action in Venezuela, Holiday Travel Surges, Fast Food Customer Shift, New Fire Rebuild Portal Nov 26, 2025

A federal judge throws out criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James after ruling the prosecutor was illegally appointed, prompting an immediate DOJ appeal. The White House faces escalating questions over potential military action in Venezuela as U.S. forces build up near the region and new terrorism allegations target President Maduro. Thanksgiving travel reaches record levels, with airlines and the FAA preparing for the busiest holiday rush in years. In business, fast-food chains are losing low-income customers as prices rise and families struggle with higher living costs, and fire survivors in California gain access to a new AI-powered rebuilding portal designed to streamline construction and reduce costs.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Announces Resignation, Ukraine Peace Plan Reworked, UCLA Plans New Student Tower, & 17 TV Shows Receive CA Tax Credits Nov 25, 2025

Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she’ll leave Congress amid a bitter split with Donald Trump and a looming primary fight. In Europe, allies cautiously welcome U.S. revisions to a Ukraine peace plan that once appeared to favor Russia. In California, UCLA is moving forward on its plan to build a 19-story student housing tower in Westwood that will ease the campus housing crunch, and 17 TV projects received California’s updated film tax credits, which is projected to boost the local economy and employ thousands.

U.S. Peace Plan for Ukraine Sparks Pushback, Pacific Drilling Proposal Revives Old Fights, Roblox Adds Age Checks, Kim Kardashian’s Skims Hits $5 Billion Nov 24, 2025

European leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine after a U.S. peace plan proposes concessions Kyiv says it cannot accept. The Trump administration moves to reopen the Pacific to offshore drilling for the first time in decades, prompting strong opposition from California officials and climate groups. In business, Roblox introduces new age-verification requirements amid rising scrutiny over child safety and Kim Kardashian’s Skims reaches a $5 billion valuation following a major funding round.

Trump Orders Epstein Files Released, Nvidia Calms AI Market Jitters, Jobs Report Mixed, G20 Summit Moves On Without U.S., UC Approves Tuition Hikes, Delivery Bots Expand in L.A., Disney Earnings Rise Despite Weaker Box Office Nov 21, 2025

President Trump signs a bill requiring the Justice Department to release Epstein investigation records, shifting responsibility to Attorney General Pam Bondi as questions remain about how much will be made public. Nvidia’s strong earnings ease fears of an AI market bubble, even as investor anxiety persists. The delayed September jobs report shows solid hiring but rising unemployment. At the G20 summit, leaders move forward without U.S. participation, emphasizing climate and inequality. UC regents approve new tuition hikes over student protests. In business, Disney posts strong gains in streaming and cruises despite weaker theatrical performance, and L.A.’s delivery bots expand into grocery service through DoorDash.

Billionaire Tom Steyer Launches Run for California Governor, Trump Dismantles Dept. of Education Further, California Minimum Wage Fight, Newsom Staff FBI Probe, and Texas Redistricting Blocked Nov 20, 2025

Billionaire hedge fund founder Tom Steyer announced Wednesday that he is running for governor of California. In a video posted to social media, Steyer vowed to challenge corporate influence and tackle the state’s affordability crisis. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is moving quickly to break up the Education Department. Officials rolled out a new plan Tuesday to shift key responsibilities, including an 18 billion dollar anti-poverty program, to other federal agencies. The move follows through on Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate the department entirely. Read more at LATimes.com.

House Votes to Release Epstein Files, U.N. Approves Trump's Gaza Plan, Saudi Crown Prince Visits White House, O.J. Simpson Estate Claim, Dodgers Free Agency Rumors Nov 19, 2025

The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to pass a bill ordering the Justice Department to publicly release the files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The push comes after a major shift from President Trump, who now says he will sign the measure if it reaches his desk. Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council approved the Trump administration’s plan to secure and govern Gaza. The 13 to 0 vote allows the U.S. to move forward with an international stabilization force in the territory and approves a transitional authority that will be overseen by President Trump. Read more at LATimes.com.

Trump Urges House GOP to Release Epstein Files, FAA Lifts Shutdown Restrictions, Judge Scolds DOJ for Comey "Missteps", South Carolina Abortion Bill, LA Braces for Week of Rain, Smart Holiday Shopping in California, and Waymo Finds the Freeway Nov 18, 2025

In a shocking reversal, President Trump publicly urged House Republicans on Sunday night to vote for the release of the Epstein files. The announcement marks a sudden shift for the President, who has long called the Epstein investigation a “Democrat hoax.” Meanwhile, on Monday, the FAA lifted all remaining flight restrictions put in place during the record 43 day government shutdown. Officials say regular schedules can resume at 40 major airports just ahead of Thanksgiving travel. Read more at LATimes.com

Shutdown Ends After 43 Days, Epstein Files Fight Intensifies, Southern California Braces for Major Storm, Edison to Issue Fire Settlements, Bishops Condemn Deportation Tactics, New L.A. Live Tower Proposed, Apple’s Cautious AI Strategy Draws Support Nov 14, 2025

The government shutdown ends after 43 days with federal workers returning and delays expected to linger. In Washington, newly released Epstein estate emails trigger a bipartisan push for full Justice Department disclosure. Southern California prepares for a dangerous atmospheric river storm, while Edison moves toward settlement offers for victims of the deadly Eaton Fire. U.S. Catholic bishops issue their strongest unified criticism in a decade against mass deportations. In business, Downtown L.A. sees new development plans with a proposed 49-story tower at L.A. Live and Apple’s restrained AI spending emerges as a strategic advantage as tech markets tighten.

Epstein Emails, Newsom Confronts U.S. Climate Policy, L.A. Weighs Rent Cap Overhaul, Trump Pressures Israel to Pardon Pres, G7 Responds to Russian Attacks, IAEA Loses Visibility on Iran’s Uranium Stockpile, Netflix Expands, Paramount Cuts Jobs Nov 13, 2025

Newly released Epstein estate emails allege Donald Trump “knew about the girls,” prompting new scrutiny from House Democrats. In Brazil, Gov. Gavin Newsom challenges U.S. federal climate inaction while promoting California’s model at COP30. Los Angeles considers capping annual rent increases at 3% in its biggest rent-control update in decades. President Trump urges Israel to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu as his corruption trial continues. G7 leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine amid escalating Russian strikes. The IAEA says it has lost insight into Iran’s near–weapons-grade uranium after June strikes. In business, Netflix accelerates its global reality competition slate, and Paramount eliminates 1,600 jobs as part of a sweeping corporate overhaul.

Government Shutdown, DOJ Berkeley Investigation, Lachman Fire Probe, West Virginia National Guard Ruling, California Storm, Holiday Shipments, and Grindr Chairman’s Exit Nov 12, 2025

After 42 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history nears an end, though the fight over healthcare continues. The Justice Department investigates security at UC Berkeley following violent protests. A new report raises questions about the Los Angeles Fire Department’s handling of the Lachman and Palisades fires. A West Virginia judge allows National Guard patrols in Washington to continue. California braces for a major storm while the Port of Long Beach keeps holiday shipments moving despite rising costs. And Grindr’s chairman resigns to lead a $3.5 billion bid to take the company private amid record growth.

Government Shutdown Deal Advances, Supreme Court Upholds LGBTQ+ Marriage Rights, SNAP Aid Fight Continues, Flight Disruptions Grow, Trump Targets BBC, Issues Pardons Nov 11, 2025

The Senate moves toward ending the record-long government shutdown with a short-term funding deal, while Democrats warn it leaves healthcare unresolved. The Supreme Court rejects Kim Davis’ appeal, reaffirming same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. Meanwhile, the court also weighs whether SNAP food aid can resume during the shutdown as families face mounting hardship. Flight cancellations continue to ripple across Southern California airports as unpaid controllers stay home. Overseas, the BBC faces resignations and legal threats after editing Trump’s January 6th speech. And in Washington, President Trump pardons key allies including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows.

SNAP Funding Battle, Holiday Flight Cuts, Porter’s Poll Drop, Denmark Moves to Ban Kids’ Social Media, Trump Tightens Visa Rules, ESPN Deal With Draft Kings, Google Maps Adds AI Nov 10, 2025

The Trump administration appeals a court order to fund SNAP benefits as the government shutdown continues, grounding thousands of flights nationwide. In California, Katie Porter loses traction in the governor’s race, while Denmark moves to ban social media for children under 15. New U.S. visa rules target applicants with medical conditions, prompting criticism from immigration advocates. In business, ESPN ends its deal with Penn Entertainment to partner with DraftKings, and Google integrates its Gemini AI into Maps.

Pelosi to Retire, FAA Cuts Flights Amid Shutdown, Typhoon Devastates Asia, U.S. Job Cuts Surge, California Faces Coastal Flooding, Starbucks Workers Plan Strike, Newsom Scales Back AI Laws Nov 07, 2025

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces she won’t seek reelection, marking the end of an era in Democratic politics. The FAA cuts flights nationwide as the government shutdown deepens, straining air travel. Typhoon Kal-Maggiei kills more than 100 across Asia. U.S. job cuts soar to the highest October total in over 20 years. King tides and an atmospheric river bring flooding risks to California’s coast. In business, Starbucks baristas prepare to strike amid stalled contract talks and Governor Gavin Newsom backs away from tough AI restrictions after pushback from Silicon Valley.

California Passes Prop 50, Democrats Sweep Key Races, UPS Plane Crash Kills 9, Government Shutdown Continues, Pope Leo Advocates for Detained Migrants, Elon Musk Tesla Trillion Dollar Pay Plan Vote, Hyundai’s Air Taxi Startup Faces Lawsuit Nov 06, 2025

California voters approve Proposition 50, giving Democrats new power to redraw congressional maps. Democrats notch major wins in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey, signaling strength ahead of the midterms. A UPS cargo jet crashes in Louisville, killing nine and halting operations overnight. The U.S. government shutdown stretches past its 36th day, leaving millions without pay and aid. Pope Leo urges compassion for detained migrants and warns of rising global tensions. In business, Tesla shareholders weigh Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package, and Hyundai’s air taxi startup faces a gender discrimination lawsuit from a former executive.

Dick Cheney Dies at 84, Supreme Court Takes Up Trump Tariff Case, USC Faces Layoffs, Judge Orders Release of School Counselor Funds, Newsom’s Prop 50 Push, Gold’s Gym Sold, Meta Opens Flagship Store Nov 05, 2025

Former Vice President Dick Cheney has died at 84 after a long career that shaped U.S. foreign policy and national security. The Supreme Court begins hearing arguments on Trump’s tariffs, a case that could redefine presidential power. Since July, USC has cut more than 900 jobs amid a $200 million budget deficit. A federal judge orders the Trump administration to release millions for school counselor grants. Californians vote on Prop 50, Governor Newsom’s redistricting measure. In business, Gold’s Gym sells most of its Southern California locations to EōS Fitness, and Meta opens a new flagship store in West Hollywood to showcase its latest AI glasses and VR tech.

SNAP Funding Ordered, California Votes, Flight Delays Mount, UK Train Attack, NYC Mayor Race, Dodgers Parade, Valley Plaza Demolition, Driverless Freight Tests Nov 04, 2025

The Trump administration moves to partially fund SNAP during the shutdown after court orders, as millions await benefits. California voters head to the polls in a special election on Proposition 50. Staffing shortages tied to the shutdown delay flights at LAX and San Diego. UK police charge a suspect in a train stabbing that injured eleven. New York’s mayoral race enters its final hours. Los Angeles celebrates the Dodgers’ second straight World Series title. North Hollywood’s historic Valley Plaza mall begins demolition. And Southern California tests driverless freight trains that could reshape shipping.

Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean, Trump Calls to End Filibuster, Health Premiums Surge, Voter Scam Warning, YouTube TV Blackout, L.A. Startup Powers Viral Videos, Streaming Prices Rise Nov 03, 2025

Hurricane Melissa leaves destruction across Jamaica and Haiti, killing dozens and displacing thousands. President Trump urges the Senate to end the filibuster to reopen the government as the shutdown drags into its 30th day. Covered California warns of steep premium hikes without renewed federal subsidies. State officials warn of fake ballot texts ahead of the election. Millions lose access to Disney-owned channels as YouTube TV’s contract talks stall. In business, an L.A. startup called Clipping is turning short edits into big profits for creators, and streaming platforms raise prices again, pushing household entertainment costs even higher.

Palisades Fire Accountability, Fed Rate Cut, Nuclear Test Concerns, Louvre Heist Breakthroughs, Dodgers Struggle, Lakers Sell, Gap’s Comeback, & Disneyland Layoffs Oct 31, 2025

Federal investigators examine whether missed warnings fueled the deadly Palisades wildfire, as lawsuits and a Senate inquiry advance. The Federal Reserve issues another rate cut amid a prolonged government shutdown and growing divisions inside the bank. President Trump suggests the U.S. may resume nuclear testing, prompting global concern. French police arrest more suspects in the Louvre jewel heist. The Dodgers face elimination after another home loss. The Lakers transition to new ownership. Gap launches a new beauty line to reset its brand. And Disneyland lays off about 100 workers as part of a post-pandemic recalibration.

Hurricane Melissa, Israel Ceasefire, Chicago ICE Crackdown, LADWP Hydrogen Plan, Putin Nuclear Drone, Dodgers World Series, Disney-Fubo Merger, and Grindr Buyout Oct 30, 2025

Hurricane Melissa leaves devastation across the Caribbean as Cuba braces for impact. Israel reinstates a ceasefire after deadly strikes in Gaza. A Chicago judge clamps down on ICE raids. L.A. moves forward with an $800 million hydrogen power project. Putin touts a new nuclear-powered drone. The Dodgers struggle in the World Series. Disney merges Hulu + Live TV with Fubo to expand its streaming reach. And Grindr’s board members offer to take the company private in a $3.5 billion buyout.

Proposition 50 Campaign Gains Momentum, U.S. Strikes Alleged Drug Boats Again, Federal Health Cuts Threaten Californians, Deputy Killed in Freeway Chase, Trump Visits Japan, Dodgers’ Marathon Win, AI Video Backlash, Halloween Candy Shift Oct 29, 2025

With just a week until California’s special election, Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 campaign surges ahead, drawing over $114 million in donations as early voting accelerates statewide. The U.S. military carried out deadly strikes in the Pacific targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats again. Federal funding cuts threaten millions of Californians’ healthcare access as the government shutdown deepens. A San Bernardino deputy was killed during a high-speed chase on the 210 Freeway. President Trump strengthens trade and security ties during his visit to Japan. The Dodgers take a historic 18-inning World Series victory at home. In business, OpenAI’s Sora app faces backlash for hyperreal deepfakes and rising cocoa prices push Halloween shoppers toward gummy candy this year.

Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica, SNAP Benefits Halted, U.S. Deploys Warship Near Venezuela, California License Clash, LAX Shutdown Delays, Newsom and Harris Eye 2028 Presidential Bid, El Segundo Surf Park, Rivian Layoffs Oct 28, 2025

Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a Category 5 storm as Jamaica braces for catastrophic flooding and evacuations. The ongoing U.S. government shutdown halts SNAP benefits, leaving millions without food assistance. A U.S. missile destroyer arrives in the Caribbean amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Washington threatens to pull funding from California over noncitizen commercial licenses, while LAX experiences major delays as unpaid air traffic controllers protest. Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris both signal possible 2028 presidential runs. In business, El Segundo moves forward with plans for a $175 million surf park, and EV maker Rivian announces more than 600 layoffs amid slowing electric vehicle demand.

Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada, Body Cameras in L.A. Jails, DOJ to Monitor California Polls, Dodgers Open World Series, Record EV Sales, Life360 Pet Tracker Launch Oct 27, 2025

President Trump halts all trade negotiations with Canada after accusing officials of using a misleading ad about tariffs. In Los Angeles, thousands of deputies inside the county jail system are now required to wear body cameras following a record number of inmate deaths. The Justice Department will monitor polling sites in five California counties during next month’s Proposition 50 election. The Dodgers prepare for the World Series without reliever Alex Vesia, who’s out for personal reasons. In business, Californians bought a record number of electric vehicles before federal tax credits expired, and Life360 unveils a new GPS pet tracker that lets owners monitor their pets in real time.

Early California Voter Turnout Surges, NBA Gambling Scandal, LAFD Retaliation Claim, Westminster Mall Redevelopment, Waymo Federal Investigation Oct 24, 2025

California’s early voter turnout is exceeding expectations ahead of November’s special election, with more than 3.4 million mail-in ballots already returned — a potential boost for Proposition 50, the redistricting measure backed by Democrats. In national news, NBA coach Chauncey Billups and player Terry Rozier face federal charges in a sweeping sports gambling probe. L.A.’s firefighters union president accuses Mayor Karen Bass of retaliation after criticizing city funding. Orange County says goodbye to the 50-year-old Westminster Mall as redevelopment plans move forward. In business, Waymo faces a federal investigation after one of its self-driving taxis failed to stop for a school bus in Atlanta.

Trump Seeks $230 Million from DOJ, LAX Terminal Overhaul, Matcha Shortage, Meta AI Layoffs, White House Ballroom Expansion, California Fire Fees, Wilmington Refinery Redevelopment Oct 23, 2025

President Trump demands $230 million from the Justice Department, claiming political investigations caused him financial harm. LAX begins a $30 billion renovation of Terminal 5 ahead of the 2028 Olympics, promising smoother travel and reduced congestion. Matcha lovers face soaring prices as Japan’s supply struggles with climate change, aging farmers, and new import tariffs. Meta lays off 600 AI employees in a restructuring move. Construction begins on a $250 million White House ballroom ordered by President Trump. In business, California insurers plan to charge homeowners new fire-related fees, and the Phillips 66 refinery site in Wilmington is set for redevelopment into a mixed-use space.

ICE Agent Accidentally Shoots Marshal in LA Raid, Court Backs Trump on Oregon Guard, CalFresh at Risk in Shutdown, Putin Summit Delayed, AWS Outage Hits Major Apps, Starbucks Workers Target Olympic Deal Oct 22, 2025

A deputy U.S. marshal was wounded by a ricochet bullet fired by an ICE agent during a raid in South Los Angeles, triggering multiple federal investigations. A federal appeals court granted President Trump control of Oregon’s National Guard, overturning a lower court ruling. Governor Gavin Newsom warns millions could lose CalFresh benefits if the federal shutdown continues past Thursday. The planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest was postponed amid tensions over Ukraine. In business, a major AWS outage disrupted global platforms and Starbucks faces new pressure from its unionized baristas, who are calling on the Olympics to drop the company as its official coffee partner.

I-5 Artillery Explosion Investigation, Palisades Fire Cleanup, ICE Misconduct Probe, Gaza Ceasefire Tested, Latino Representation, NBC-Apple Streaming Deal Oct 21, 2025

A Marine Corps anniversary event at Camp Pendleton sparked alarm when a live artillery round exploded midair over the I-5 Freeway, striking a California Highway Patrol cruiser with shrapnel and prompting an investigation into safety failures. In Pacific Palisades, officials declared eight fire-damaged homes public nuisances after owners missed cleanup deadlines for toxic debris. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and top Democrats in Congress announced a probe into ICE misconduct, citing racial profiling and wrongful arrests of U.S. citizens. U.S. envoys traveled to Israel to help stabilize the fragile Gaza ceasefire after renewed violence. In business, Latino authors and bookstores push for stronger representation in publishing, while NBCUniversal and Apple launch a new streaming bundle combining Peacock and Apple TV.

Malibu Crackdown, Venezuela Tensions, County Scandal, Bolton Indicted, Walmart’s AI Push, Beyond Meat’s Collapse Oct 20, 2025

Malibu declares a state of emergency to remove homeless encampments over wildfire fears. The Trump administration escalates military action in Venezuela, risking a wider conflict. L.A. County prepares to pay nearly $1 billion more to sexual abuse victims. John Bolton pleads not guilty to mishandling classified information. Walmart teams with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to its shopping app, and Beyond Meat’s stock crashes to record lows amid massive losses.

Judge Blocks Layoffs, California’s Insulin Plan, Housing Fraud Charges, Solar Lawsuit, Waymo’s London Launch, and Spotify’s Netflix Deal Oct 17, 2025

A California judge blocks federal layoffs during the government shutdown. Governor Newsom unveils a new plan to sell low-cost insulin statewide. Federal prosecutors charge two executives with misusing homelessness funds. California sues over the cancellation of the Solar for All program. Waymo expands its driverless cars to London in its first European rollout. And Spotify teams up with Netflix to bring video podcasts to streaming audiences starting in 2026.

SCOTUS Voting Rights Act, LA County State of Emergency, ICE Kaiser Strikes Airports, DHS Video, Skid Row Development Project, Korean Beauty Industry Oct 16, 2025

D’Angelo Dies at 51, California Storm Warnings, Shutdown Fallout, CA Ballot False Conspiracy Theory, Newsom Signs Wildfire Relief Law, New CA AI Laws, Long Beach Self-Checkout Law Oct 15, 2025

R&B legend D’Angelo has died at 51 after a battle with cancer, remembered as a defining voice of neo-soul with albums like Voodoo and Black Messiah. A major storm is soaking Southern California, bringing flash flood warnings and dangerous driving conditions across the region. The federal shutdown enters a third week as thousands of government workers face layoffs and pay uncertainty. California’s secretary of state is refuting false claims that mail-in ballots expose voters’ choices. Governor Newsom has signed new wildfire insurance laws to speed relief for victims. In business, Newsom signs new AI safety rules into law to protect minors and Long Beach enforces the nation’s first staffing requirements for self-checkout lanes to reduce retail theft.

Beutner’s Bid, Education Layoffs, USC Rivalry, Hostage Release, SoCal Storms, Tesla Troubles, and ChatGPT Expansion Oct 14, 2025

Former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner launches his campaign for Los Angeles mayor, challenging Karen Bass. The Trump administration cuts hundreds of jobs at the Education Department, while USC eyes the future of its rivalry with Notre Dame. In the Middle East, Hamas frees the last Israeli hostages. Back in the U.S., Southern California braces for severe storms. In business, Tesla offers customers lackluster discounts and OpenAI expands ChatGPT’s reach with new third-party integrations.

Tennessee Factory Blast, MIT Funding Clash, Palisades Fire Criticism, Letitia James Indicted, AI Ads, Nestlé Exit Oct 13, 2025

A deadly explosion at a munitions plant in Tennessee has left workers missing as rescue crews search the site. MIT’s president rejected a White House proposal linking university funding to political alignment. The Los Angeles Fire Department is under fire for failing to use thermal cameras before the deadly Palisades blaze reignited. New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted following pressure from President Trump. In business, companies are using AI to create fake news-style ads without disclosure, and Nestlé has withdrawn from a global alliance to cut dairy methane emissions.

CA Student Test Scores Up, Shutdown Back Pay Fallout, Lakers Fan Sues LeBron, Israel Gaza Peace Deal, ICE L.A. Emergency Declaration, AI Bubble, UC Scientists Win Nobel Prize Oct 10, 2025

California test scores rose for a second straight year, with major gains in Compton and L.A. Unified as the state adopts new literacy reforms. The federal shutdown deepened after President Trump suggested furloughed workers might not get back pay. A Lakers fan sued LeBron James, claiming a misleading retirement tease. Trump announced an Israel-Hamas peace deal with hostage releases and troop withdrawals. L.A. County moved toward declaring an emergency over ICE raids. In business, experts warn of an AI investment bubble, and three University of California scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for advances in quantum computing.

Palisades Fire Arrest, Troops in Chicago, Comey Indicted, L.A. Trash Hike, CoolKicks Raid, and Surprise Import Fees Oct 09, 2025

Federal agents arrested a Florida man accused of starting the Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. President Trump deployed Texas National Guard troops to Chicago, sparking lawsuits from state leaders. Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to lying to Congress in a politically charged case. Los Angeles residents will see trash bills nearly double to offset a billion-dollar budget deficit. In business, police raided L.A.’s CoolKicks store and arrested its CEO over allegedly buying stolen sneakers, meanwhile California shoppers face new import fees after tariff exemptions were rolled back.

National Guard Lawsuit, Maxwell Appeal Rejected, Gaza Peace Talks, Nobel Prize in Medicine, Chevron Refinery Fire, and Flying Taxis in L.A. Oct 07, 2025

Illinois and Chicago sue to block a federal plan to deploy National Guard troops as tensions rise in major U.S. cities. The Supreme Court rejects Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal, while indirect talks begin in Egypt to end the war in Gaza. Three scientists earn the Nobel Prize for breakthroughs in immunology. Then, a Chevron refinery fire threatens to raise gas prices, and developers in Los Angeles prepare for flying taxis that could reshape urban travel.

Refinery Fire, Michigan Church Fundraiser, Russia Drone Attack, Trump Cartel War, Burbank USD Scandal, Apple Vision Pro Shift, Cheetos Dye Change Oct 06, 2025

Firefighters battled a massive explosion at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, shaking nearby homes and raising questions about operations and gas prices. In Michigan, thousands donated to the family of a church gunman. Russia launched its largest drone assault on Ukraine’s energy grid as Ukraine struck targets deep inside Russia. Former President Trump declared drug cartels terrorist groups, prompting bipartisan concern over unchecked military action. In Burbank, a former school board member was charged with diverting district funds for personal gain. In business, Apple shifted resources from its Vision Pro product to AI smart glasses following weak sales and PepsiCo is testing natural dyes for Cheetos and beverages to meet consumer demand for healthier ingredients.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Denied Asylum, Israel Intercepts Flotilla, Manchester Synagogue Attack, Trump Cuts Climate Funds, Sephora Waste Settlement, UCLA Stagflation Forecast Oct 03, 2025

Title: Kilmar Abrego Garcia Denied Asylum, Israel Intercepts Flotilla, Manchester Synagogue Attack, Trump Cuts Climate Funds, Sephora Waste Settlement, UCLA Stagflation Forecast Description: A Baltimore judge denied asylum to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvador native at the center of immigration debates, leaving him at risk of deportation. Israeli naval forces intercepted a flotilla bound for Gaza, detaining activists and drawing international condemnation. In the U.K., two people were killed in a terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur. The Trump administration cut nearly $8 billion from clean energy projects in Democratic states, while expanding coal production. In business, Sephora will pay $775,000 in a hazardous waste settlement, and a UCLA forecast warns of “stagflation-lite” due to the Trump administration’s tariff policy and fed rate cuts.

Jane Goodall Dies at 91, Trump Orders Military Training in U.S. Cities, Government Shutdown, EV Lane Changes, ChatGPT Parental Controls, DoorDash Expands with Kroger Oct 02, 2025

Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist and conservationist, has died at 91. President Trump urges military training in U.S. cities, sparking lawsuits and backlash. The U.S. government shuts down after failed negotiations, while California ends carpool lane access for clean-air vehicles. In business, OpenAI launches new parental controls for ChatGPT, and DoorDash expands its grocery services nationwide through a major Kroger partnership.

DACA Proposal, Robotaxi Loopholes, Military Shakeup, AI Coding, Fire Relief, and TikTok Plan Oct 01, 2025

The federal government moves to reopen DACA for first-time applicants as legal challenges loom. In California, police confront gaps in the law after stopping a driverless Waymo car. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announce sweeping changes to military standards and policies. In Silicon Valley, AI “vibe-coding” reshapes software development. In business, California fire survivors gain mortgage relief under a new law and Trump’s revived TikTok security plan draws criticism for leaving national security risks unresolved.

Gaza Peace Proposal, Tyler Robinson Trial, Church Security Measures, Shutdown Deadline Talks, Dodgers Playoff Preview, Clippers Investigation, LA Tourism Industry Decline, and AI Safety Legislation Sep 30, 2025

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announce a 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, though Hamas has not responded. Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing activist Charlie Kirk, seek more time to review evidence as prosecutors pursue the death penalty. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass orders increased patrols at houses of worship following a deadly church shooting in Michigan. Trump also met with congressional leaders ahead of a looming government shutdown. In sports, the Dodgers open their playoff run against the Reds, while the Clippers face an NBA investigation into possible salary cap violations. In business, L.A.’s tourism industry reports sharp drops in international arrivals after wildfires, immigration raids, and tariff threats. In Sacramento, Governor Newsom weighs two new AI chatbot safety bills aimed at protecting minors amid pushback from tech giants.

James Comey Indicted, Trump Pharma Tariffs, Netanyahu UN Speech, U.S. Veteran Detained by ICE, Starbucks Layoffs, Trump Economy Polls Sep 29, 2025

Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted, while Trump announces new tariffs that could raise drug prices. At the UN, dozens of delegates walked out of the organization's general assembly when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took the stage. A U.S. veteran detained by ICE speaks out. In business, Starbucks announces mass layoffs, and new polls show Trump’s economic approval slipping.

Eaton Fire Evacuation Report, California Electric Bill Refunds, White House Job Cut Warnings, Runyon Canyon Restroom Debate, Calvin Harris Real Estate Loss, Amazon Prime Settlement Sep 26, 2025

The long-awaited report on the Eaton Fire reveals critical evacuation failures, while Californians see refunds on their October electric bills. The White House warns federal agencies of job cuts ahead of a shutdown, and debate grows over a $1 million restroom project at Runyon Canyon. In business, Calvin Harris says he lost $22.5 million in a stalled Hollywood development, and Amazon agrees to a $2.5 billion settlement over deceptive Prime membership practices.

Dallas ICE Shooting, Detainee Death, $25M Inglewood Settlement, California Ad Volume Bill, Amazon Prime Trial, Nvidia $100B OpenAI Deal Sep 25, 2025

A gunman opened fire at a Dallas ICE facility, killing one detainee and injuring two others before taking his own life. Separately, a former DACA recipient died in ICE custody, raising calls for oversight. In Inglewood, the city will pay $25 million to Maurice Hastings, who spent 38 years imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. California lawmakers pass a bill to ban streaming ads louder than programs. In business, Amazon heads to trial over Prime cancellation practices, while Nvidia announces a $100 billion investment in OpenAI to build AI data centers.

Trump Targets Tylenol, UCLA Grant Ruling, Trump Cancels Meeting With Democrats, NYC Telecom Threat, Fox TikTok Deal, California Insurance Battle Sep 24, 2025

President Trump claims Tylenol is linked to autism, sparking pushback from doctors. A judge orders his administration to restore over $500 million in UCLA research grants. Trump cancels a meeting with Democratic leaders, raising shutdown risks, while the Secret Service uncovers a telecom threat in New York. In business, Trump says Fox Corp. may join a deal to move TikTok into U.S. ownership. Meanwhile, California advocates push for a policyholder “bill of rights” as insurance companies face growing scrutiny after wildfires and rising rates.

LAPD Synagogue Security, Trump’s Retribution Push, Kimmel’s Return, SoCal Weather, Smart Glasses, Port of LA Bridge Sep 23, 2025

The LAPD is increasing patrols around synagogues, schools, and community centers as the High Holy Days approach. President Trump has publicly pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue investigations into political opponents, drawing criticism from lawmakers and legal experts. ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ is returning to ABC Tuesday, after being pulled by the network last week for the host’s comments related to Charlie Kirk’s killing. The muggy weather in Southern California is expected to stick around through the week, with high humidity and a slight chance for rain. In business, tech companies are competing to make smart glasses relevant, while the Port of Los Angeles looks to make a billion dollar upgrade to the Vincent Thomas Bridge.

Kimmel Pulled from ABC, UC Police Weapons Debate, Pennsylvania Shooting, Discord Probed in Kirk Case, Hawthorne Mall Future, Intel–Nvidia Deal Sep 19, 2025

ABC cancels Jimmy Kimmel Live after backlash to remarks on Charlie Kirk’s killing, while UC police expand their weapons stockpile. Pennsylvania mourns three officers killed in a shootout, and Discord faces scrutiny in the Kirk investigation. Meanwhile, a judge orders Hawthorne Mall’s redevelopment, and Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel.

Israeli Offensive in Gaza, Huntington Beach Unrest, Fed Rate Cut, and Ben & Jerry’s Exit Sep 18, 2025

Israeli forces escalate ground operations in Gaza as Huntington Beach confronts white nationalist unrest. The Federal Reserve cuts interest rates amid labor concerns, police identify a teen found in musician D4VD’s car, United’s CEO warns of Olympic airline losses, and Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigns over corporate conflicts.

Robert Redford Dies, SoCal Weather Shifts, Robinson Faces Death Penalty, California Poverty Report, Trump Hints at TikTok Deal Sep 17, 2025

Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and founder of Sundance, died at 89. Southern California faces triple-digit heat followed by thunderstorms and rain later this week. Utah prosecutors charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and six other counts in the shooting of Charlie Kirk, seeking the death penalty. In business, a new report says California tied with Louisiana for the nation’s highest poverty rate and President Trump claimed the U.S. and China reached a framework deal on TikTok just ahead of the ban deadline.

Edison Bill Hike, Rubio Meets Netanyahu, New Evidence in Kirk Shooting, Trump Threatens D.C. Takeover Sep 16, 2025

California regulators are set to vote on a 10% Southern California Edison rate hike that could raise household bills by $200 a year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, reaffirming U.S. support for Israel’s war with Hamas. Federal officials say DNA evidence links Tyler Robinson to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, with charges expected this week. President Trump threatened to declare a national emergency in Washington, D.C., over immigration enforcement. In business, Larry Ellison became the world’s richest person and Lyft expanded its driverless ride operations in San Francisco.

Kirk Shooting Arrest, National Guard to Memphis, Deadly ICE Stop, Toy Hub Opens, SF Housing Costs Sep 15, 2025

Utah police arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the killing of Charlie Kirk after a family member reported his confession and investigators recovered a rifle nearby. President Trump announced that National Guard troops will be sent to Memphis, with support from Tennessee’s governor. In Chicago, an ICE arrest turned deadly when a suspect dragged an officer with his car before being shot. In business, the world’s largest toymakers opened a new showroom hub in El Segundo near Mattel. An analysis found San Francisco housing costs have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with wages up but rents topping $3,000 for a one-bedroom.

FBI Hunts Kirk Shooting Suspect, Overdose Bill Advances, Trump Trial Begins, U.K. Fires Ambassador, Amazon Robotaxi Launch, New Girl Scout Cookie Sep 12, 2025

The FBI released images of the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing as the manhunt nears 24 hours. California lawmakers passed a bill shielding students from punishment when calling 911 for overdoses. In Florida, the trial begins for Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump. In London, Britain fired its U.S. ambassador over ties to Jeffrey Epstein. In business, Amazon launched its Zoox robotaxi service in Las Vegas, and the Girl Scouts unveiled a new rocky road cookie while retiring two fan favorites.

Charlie Kirk Killed, Poland Downs Russian Drones, Hollywood Bodies Found, Rivian Layoffs, DoorDash Drone Tests Sep 11, 2025

Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University, sparking a shelter-in-place search for a suspect. Poland says it downed multiple Russian drones that violated its airspace, prompting NATO consultations. In Los Angeles, two women’s remains were found in separate towed cars. In business, Rivian will lay off about 200 employees as federal EV tax credits expire and DoorDash will test warehouse-based drone deliveries in San Francisco.

SAG President Nominations, CA Governor's Race, Newsom Speech, Israel Strikes, Auto Industry, and CA Fair Plan. Sep 10, 2025

Sean Astin is looking to become the next president of SAG, Karen Bass endorsement for Governor of California, Gavin Newsom's speech, Israel strikes Doha, Automotive Industry efficiency rollbacks, and California Fair Plan fire claims.

Jerusalem Shooting, Supreme Court Immigration Ruling, Bonta Jail Lawsuit, LA Hotel Wage, Trump Epstein Letter, SpaceX Spectrum Deal, Hyundai Raid Sep 09, 2025

Six people are killed after gunmen open fire at a Jerusalem bus stop. The U.S. Supreme Court clears the way for mass deportation sweeps in California. Attorney General Rob Bonta sues LA County over dangerous jail conditions. A push to repeal LA’s $30 hotel wage fails. House Democrats release a Trump-linked Epstein letter. SpaceX buys $17 billion in spectrum to expand Starlink service. South Korea secures the release of detainees after a U.S. raid at a Hyundai plant.

Hyundai Raid, Putin’s Warning, 405 Closures, Trump Hosts Tech Leaders Sep 08, 2025

Nearly 500 workers were detained in a federal immigration raid at Hyundai’s Georgia EV plant, sparking diplomatic involvement from South Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Western troops sent to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets.” In Los Angeles, the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass faces weekend closures as a major repaving project begins. Meanwhile, President Trump hosted Silicon Valley leaders at the White House, where executives pledged billions for AI and manufacturing as part of his push to keep U.S. tech globally competitive. In business, McDonald’s is cutting meal prices while Erewhon plans an exclusive NYC tonic bar.

L.A. Homelessness Decline, U.S. Job Losses, Kawhi Probe, RFK Jr. Grilled in Senate Sep 05, 2025

Los Angeles has cut street homelessness by 14% in two years, but $90 million in budget cuts threaten those gains. Nearly 900,000 Americans have lost their jobs this year, with AI cited in thousands of layoffs. Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers face an NBA investigation into a $28 million salary cap scheme involving a bankrupt company. Gov. Gavin Newsom says Trump’s Guard deployment cost L.A. taxpayers $120 million, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced bipartisan criticism in a Senate hearing. In business, Salesforce says AI replaced 4,000 support roles, while a federal judge ruled Google won’t have to sell its Chrome browser but must follow tighter rules.

West Coast Health Alliance, Climate Report Rebuttal, Epstein Survivors Rally, Streameast Shutdown, State Farm Probe, Google AI Push Sep 04, 2025

California, Oregon, and Washington launch the West Coast Health Alliance to shield public health from political interference. Climate scientists issue a 500-page rebuttal to a federal report downplaying global warming. Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse rally at the Capitol demanding release of DOJ files. Authorities shut down Streameast, the largest illegal sports streaming site, after a global investigation. A judge allows scrutiny of State Farm’s claims practices amid rate hike hearings. And Google faces backlash from YouTube creators after using their videos to train AI tools.

Judge Rules Trump’s L.A. Guard Deployment Illegal, Israel Calls Up Reservists, L.A. Football Scandal, OpenAI Lawsuit Sep 03, 2025

A federal judge ruled President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles was illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act. Israel mobilized 60,000 reservists as its Gaza offensive escalated, sparking protests and warnings from aid groups. In Los Angeles, a football booster admitted paying families to transfer athletes, while California faces triple-digit heat, lightning, and rising wildfire risk. In business, OpenAI was sued after parents alleged ChatGPT gave their son suicide instructions, and the U.S. suspended the “de minimis” exemption on cheap imports, raising costs for online shoppers and challenging retailers like Shein and Temu.

Border Security, Duty-Free Shopping, Israel and Gaza war zones, and California employees Sep 01, 2025

Thousands of migrants who once risked everything to reach the US are now turning back. Duty-free shopping may be at risk. LA public defenders are working to remove an acting US attorney. Israel declaring Gaza's largest city a dangerous combat zone. Open AI creating jobs despite negative pushback over teen suicide. California workers not returning to office.

Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv, Trans Athlete Spurs School Forfeits, Torrance PD Reform, ICE Raids to Escalate Aug 29, 2025

Russia launched one of its largest airstrikes on Kyiv since the war began, killing at least 18 and injuring dozens, with missiles striking government buildings and international offices. In Southern California, three high schools forfeited volleyball matches rather than face a team with a transgender athlete, thrusting a 17-year-old student into the spotlight of a national debate. California’s Attorney General announced a reform agreement with the Torrance Police Department after a racist text scandal exposed nearly a dozen officers. Meanwhile, federal officials say immigration raids will “ramp up” in Los Angeles and other sanctuary cities, with Chicago possibly next on the list. In business, AI company Anthropic settled a copyright lawsuit with authors and a Stanford study found entry-level coders face steep employment outlooks as AI adoption spreads.

Trump Expands Control of D.C., South Asia Floods Kill Hundreds, School Shooting in Minneapolis, Florida Detention Camp Shuts Down Aug 28, 2025

President Trump is asserting greater federal power in Washington, D.C., seizing control of Union Station and pledging billions to remake the city. In South Asia, devastating floods in India and Pakistan have killed more than 800 people since June, displacing hundreds of thousands. In Minnesota, a gunman opened fire at a Catholic school, killing two students and injuring 17 others before taking his own life. Meanwhile, Florida’s controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center could be empty within days after a federal judge ordered its closure. In business, State Farm faces fire-claim rebukes while California unions hold steady.

Trump’s Fed Fight, COVID Surge, TikTok Deadline, Gaza Strikes, Flag Debate, and AI Models Aug 27, 2025

President Trump moves to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, setting off a historic legal and financial battle. California faces rising COVID-19 cases tied to a new variant, while vaccine approvals remain stalled. Trump extends TikTok’s shutdown deadline once again, leaving its future uncertain despite a congressional ban. In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike on a hospital kills 20, fueling protests and renewed ceasefire demands. Beverly Hills schools weigh displaying the Israeli flag on campuses during Jewish Heritage Month. And in fashion, models confront AI-generated rivals as debates over consent and pay intensify.

Journalists Killed in Gaza, Abrego Garcia in Custody, Search for Baby Emmanuel, L.A. Burglary Crew Busted Aug 26, 2025

Israeli airstrikes killed 19 people in Gaza, including five journalists working at Nasser Hospital, underscoring the dangers for media in the nearly two-year war. In the U.S., Kilmar Abrego Garcia has surrendered to ICE and faces possible deportation to Uganda, a move his lawyers call life-threatening. Meanwhile, investigators intensify the search for missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro as his parents face murder charges. And in Los Angeles, police announced the arrest of a burglary ring responsible for over 100 break-ins across the city. In business, L.A. short-term rentals continue to decline, while Google unveils its AI-powered Pixel 10 phone.

John Bolton Home Searched, Missing CA boy, DC Crime, Alligator Alcatraz, Tik Tok Lawsuit, and Hello Fresh Aug 25, 2025

The FBI searched the home and office of former national security adviser John Bolton as part of a classified documents probe, highlighting the Trump administration’s legal fights with ex-officials. In California, the parents of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro were arrested on suspicion of murder, though the infant has yet to be found. In Washington, D.C., nearly 2,000 National Guard troops will soon be armed as Trump expands his crackdown on crime. Meanwhile, a federal judge blocked Florida’s controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention camp expansion, citing environmental and human rights concerns. In business, Minnesota sues TikTok and HelloFresh settles a $7.5 million case.

Russia’s Massive Drone Attack, Obama Backs Newsom, Gaza City Takeover, and L.A. Graffiti Towers Aug 22, 2025

Russia launched one of its largest assaults on Ukraine, firing more than 500 drones and dozens of missiles overnight. Former President Barack Obama endorsed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s controversial redistricting plan, intensifying the partisan fight over election maps. In the Middle East, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to approve a Gaza City takeover, sparking protests in Israel. And in business, Downtown L.A.’s graffiti towers continue to sit idle, while worker safety concerns mount amid California’s dangerous heat wave.

LA Student Arrest Sparks Outcry, Trump Targets Museums, Voting Machine Scandal, Menendez Brothers Case Developments Aug 21, 2025

Educators and activists rally for the release of an LA high school student detained by immigration agents, while President Trump escalates his push against the Smithsonian and other museums he accuses of promoting “woke ideology.” In Los Angeles, election technology firm Smartmatic faces federal corruption charges tied to alleged bribery schemes and misuse of taxpayer funds. Meanwhile, new developments emerge in the Menendez brothers’ case. In business, Tesla comes under mounting legal pressure over its self-driving technology and California braces for the closure of its last beet sugar factory.

Ceasefire Talks in Gaza, Trump Rules Out U.S. Troops in Ukraine, Metro Ridership Declines, Roblox Lawsuits Over Child Safety Aug 20, 2025

Mediators in Qatar push for a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas signals openness to a new proposal, while Israel prepares for a major offensive. President Trump assures he won’t send U.S. troops to Ukraine, clarifying earlier remarks as he seeks to broker an end to the war. In Los Angeles, Metro bus ridership continues to decline, raising questions about the impact of immigration raids and financial pressures. In business, Roblox faces lawsuits over child safety, accused of failing to protect kids from predators. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s plan to expand launches meets regulatory resistance.

Newsom Pushes Special Election, Zelensky Rejects Putin’s Peace Talk, LA28 Naming Rights Deal, DC Homeless Crackdown Aug 19, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom calls a November special election to redraw California’s congressional maps in a bid to favor Democrats, sparking criticism over undermining the state’s independent process. President Trump prepares for a surprise U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns Vladimir Putin is bluffing about peace. LA28 secures a historic deal allowing corporate naming rights for 2028 Olympic venues. In Washington, D.C., federal officials clear homeless encampments under Trump’s crime crackdown. In business, an unusual chip deal between Trump and tech giants draws legal concerns, while OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch meets mixed reviews.

Border Patrol Raids Near Newsom Event, D.C. Sues Over Police Takeover, Border Drones Expand Surveillance, Valley Fever Surges Aug 18, 2025

Border Patrol agents raid near Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting announcement in Los Angeles, drawing condemnation from local leaders. In Washington, D.C., officials sue to block President Trump’s federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department. Along the southern border, U.S. immigration agents deploy AI-powered drones to track migrants in Arizona. And in California, health officials warn that valley fever cases are rising at record rates, with infections spreading beyond traditional hotspots. In business, Ford invests $2 billion to convert a Kentucky plant for electric vehicles, while L.A. considers converting empty skyscrapers into housing.

Newsom Pushes Special Election, Zelensky Rejects Putin’s Peace Talk, LA28 Naming Rights Deal, DC Homeless Crackdown Aug 15, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom calls a November special election to redraw California’s congressional maps in a bid to favor Democrats, sparking criticism over undermining the state’s independent process. President Trump prepares for a surprise U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns Vladimir Putin is bluffing about peace. LA28 secures a historic deal allowing corporate naming rights for 2028 Olympic venues. In Washington, D.C., federal officials clear homeless encampments under Trump’s crime crackdown. In business, an unusual chip deal between Trump and tech giants draws legal concerns, while OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch meets mixed reviews.

LAUSD Moves to Protect Immigrant Students, Gaza Deaths Mount, California Pushback on Federal Actions, Tesla Awards Musk $29 Billion Aug 14, 2025

Los Angeles schools announce new security measures to protect immigrant students from ICE activity as classes resume. In Gaza, Israeli gunfire kills 25 near aid sites while displacement plans draw criticism. California leaders push back against possible National Guard deployments and a federal ban on benefits for undocumented immigrants. In business, Tesla’s board grants Elon Musk a $29 billion stock package to retain him as the company shifts toward robotics and AI, even as it appeals a ruling striking down his 2018 pay plan — and Claire’s files for bankruptcy for the second time in seven years.

ICE Facility Conditions Under Scrutiny, California Earthquake Study, Texas Special Session, U.S. Economy Slows Aug 13, 2025

Democratic lawmakers accuse ICE of concealing poor conditions inside a downtown Los Angeles detention site, sparking renewed oversight calls. A new study on a massive Myanmar earthquake offers scientists fresh insights into how California’s “Big One” might strike. In Texas, Republicans plan to end the current special session and begin another after redistricting efforts stall. And nationwide, hiring slows sharply as tariffs and trade policies weigh on the economy, with Amazon announcing 110 layoffs in its Wondery audio division.

Deadly Steel Plant Blast, Gaza Journalist Killed, Disney Streaming Surge, California Smoke Claim Dispute Aug 12, 2025

One person is dead and another missing after a massive explosion at a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh, prompting urgent rescue efforts and a shelter-in-place order. In Gaza, a strike on a journalists’ tent killed seven, including prominent Al Jazeera reporter Anas Al-Sharif, drawing international condemnation. Disney reports strong streaming growth despite theatrical losses, with plans to merge Disney+ and Hulu next year. And in California, wildfire survivors accuse the state’s last-resort insurer of illegally denying smoke damage claims, prompting state intervention.

Health Coverage Risks, Trade Tensions, Heat Wave Strains California, Cleanup Complaints Grow, Disney’s Streaming Gains, and Wildfire Insurance Disputes Aug 08, 2025

New Medicaid work requirements could strip health coverage from millions, with California officials warning that over 3 million residents may be affected. The mandate, signed into law by President Trump, takes effect after the 2026 midterms and has sparked growing concerns over access and eligibility. Meanwhile, sweeping new tariffs on imports from more than 60 countries have taken effect, drawing criticism from economists and global leaders who warn the economic impact could escalate in the months ahead. Southern California faces triple-digit temperatures as a major heat wave peaks, with only slight relief expected over the weekend. The Gifford Fire has burned more than 96,000 acres, with two other wildfires still active amid dangerous winds and dry conditions. L.A. homeowners accuse the U.S. Army Corps of mishandling post-fire debris cleanup after January’s blazes, leaving hazardous materials behind. The company plans to merge Disney+ and Hulu into one app next year, signs a $1.6 billion deal with WWE, and acquires NFL Network ahead of its ESPN streaming launch. Meanwhile, California’s FAIR Plan faces state action over allegedly illegal denials of smoke damage claims from January’s Eaton Fires, as homeowners report being left to clean toxic debris themselves or accept low settlement offers.

Fort Stewart Shooting, Border Patrol Raids, Hollywood Murder, Street Safety, Boeing Strike, and a Stock Surge Aug 07, 2025

A soldier opens fire at Fort Stewart in Georgia, injuring five before being taken into custody. Army officials say the shooter used a personal weapon, and investigations are underway. Then, in Los Angeles, Border Patrol agents carry out a pre-dawn immigration raid at a Home Depot, arresting at least 16 migrants. A murder in the Hollywood Hills reveals a secret network of high-stakes underground poker involving celebrities and organized crime. In Los Angeles, residents take safety into their own hands by painting illegal crosswalks, prompting the city to act. Thousands of Boeing workers walk off the job at military plants across the Midwest, demanding better pay and overtime protections. And American Eagle stock jumps after President Trump praises a controversial ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, despite backlash over its messaging and imagery. We break down four stories shaping headlines across the country today.

Epstein Subpoenas, UCLA Funding Freeze, Redistricting Trigger, Tesla Verdict, and Google Antitrust Loss Aug 06, 2025

Congress issues subpoenas for Epstein records, targeting the DOJ and former top officials. UCLA prepares to negotiate with the Trump administration after $336 million in research funding is frozen. Governor Newsom unveils a “trigger” redistricting plan that would redraw California’s congressional maps—only if Texas moves first. Meanwhile, a heatwave threatens to worsen California’s wildfire season, with evacuations already underway. A jury orders Tesla to pay $243 million over a fatal Autopilot crash, its biggest courtroom loss yet. And Google loses an antitrust appeal to Epic Games, in a case that could reshape how millions of users access and pay for apps.

Music Festival Violence, Redistricting Standoff, LAS VEGAS Tourism Falls, Police Data Opens, CA Companies Exit, & Tariffs Rise Aug 05, 2025

Two people are dead and six injured after gunfire erupted at a music festival after-party in downtown Los Angeles. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott is threatening to remove Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a GOP-backed redistricting plan aimed at securing congressional control. Tourism to Las Vegas declines as fewer Californians and international travelers visit. A new public database releases millions of police misconduct records across California. Major companies continue to move out of the state, citing cost and regulation, though economists say California’s economy remains strong. And Indian-owned businesses in Southern California brace for a 25% tariff on imports, raising concerns about higher prices and reduced sales.

Aging Brains, Green Tech, EV Rush, and Silicon Bets Aug 01, 2025

A new study finds the pandemic accelerated brain aging—even for those who never caught COVID—raising questions about long-term mental health impacts. The U.N. urges tech giants to switch data centers to 100% renewable energy by 2030 to curb AI’s soaring power demands. California car dealers brace for a final rush as the federal EV tax credit nears its end. And Silicon Valley startups gamble billions on defense manufacturing, hoping contracts follow investment. Subscribe for these stories and more from the LA Times.

Tsunami Alerts, Ukraine Strikes, Policy Shifts, Political Choices, & Silicon Valley Shake-Ups Jul 31, 2025

California officials urge caution along the coast after an 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s east coast sparks tsunami advisories and beach closures, even as warnings ease by midday. Meanwhile in Ukraine, Russian missile strikes kill three soldiers and wound 18 at a training base near Kyiv. With recruitment challenges mounting and civilian casualties rising, Ukraine faces mounting pressure as President Trump’s peace talks deadline approaches. We cover the latest updates from the Pacific coastline to the front lines in Eastern Europe. LAPD’s quiet cooperation with federal immigration raids sparks debate over civil rights and local trust. Kamala Harris announces she won’t run for California governor, leaving Democrats searching for a strong contender. The U.S. economy shows solid second quarter growth but faces troubling signs ahead, from shrinking imports to rising inflation. And Apple loses another top AI researcher to Meta, deepening concerns over its competitive future. Stay with us for these stories and more from the LA Times.

Manhattan Shooting, Humanitarian Crisis, Campus Protests, Abortion Fight, Wildfire Costs, & AI Sashimi Jul 30, 2025

UCLA settles a $6.45 million lawsuit from Jewish students over pro-Palestinian protests they say excluded them from campus life. California and other states sue the Trump administration to keep Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid funding for essential health services. A January wildfire in Los Angeles could cost as much as $51.7 billion in home damages alone. And an El Segundo startup unveils a robot that blends AI and Japanese tradition to make sashimi more humanely and affordably.

Wallis Annenberg Legacy, Rising Global Pressure, Alligator Alcatraz Lawsuit, SNAP Data Fight, Stater Bros Strike, & Tea App Breach Jul 29, 2025

Wallis Annenberg, whose decades of giving transformed Los Angeles’ cultural and civic life, has died at 86, leaving behind a profound legacy across education, healthcare, and the arts. Meanwhile, President Trump escalates pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, cutting a 50-day peace deadline to less than two weeks after renewed Russian attacks.Lawyers sue Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center over detainees held without charges. California and other states take on the USDA for demanding personal data from SNAP recipients. Thousands of Stater Bros. grocery workers authorize a strike across Southern California stores over labor disputes. And a dating safety app suffers a major data breach, exposing tens of thousands of user images and IDs.

California Steps Up, Political Maps, Driverless Shuttles, and Gaming Lawsuits Jul 28, 2025

California moves to fill a critical gap in disaster research after the Trump administration slashes EPA funding. State Democrats then weigh redrawing congressional maps to challenge GOP efforts in Texas. Lyft plans to roll out autonomous shuttles next year, aiming to catch up in the robotaxi race. And Activision Blizzard takes cheat developers to court worldwide, hoping to curb rampant hacking in Call of Duty. Four stories showing how policy, technology, and the courts shape life and business today.

Air Quality Alerts, Ammo Law Overturned, Delivery Bots Expand, and Prime Day Shifts Jul 25, 2025

UCLA researchers install sensors to protect Palisades residents from post-fire air pollution. A federal appeals court strikes down California’s voter-approved background checks for ammunition, citing Second Amendment rights. Food delivery robots roll out across Los Angeles, sparking debate over convenience and jobs. And despite Amazon’s extended Prime Day, shoppers turn to Walmart for better deals on everyday essentials. Four stories tracking health, law, technology, and shifting consumer habits across California.

Trump’s Japan Tariffs, West Altadena Fire Failures,Epstein Records, Immigration Ruling, Uber Pilot, & Trump’s AI Plan Jul 24, 2025

President Trump imposes a 15% tariff on Japanese goods as part of a new trade deal he claims will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, while warning the EU of more tariffs ahead. Meanwhile, a Times investigation into January’s deadly West Altadena fire reveals critical delays and misallocated resources left residents largely unprotected during the worst hours. A judge blocks the Trump administration’s effort to unseal Jeffrey Epstein’s grand jury records in Florida. Another court stops ICE from immediately detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia after a wrongful deportation. Uber tests a women-only ride option in California aimed at safer travel. And the White House launches an AI plan to cut regulations and speed development, drawing support from tech leaders and criticism from civil rights and environmental groups. Four stories shaping law, policy, and technology in the U.S. today.

Gaza Death Toll Rises, U.S. Quits UNESCO, Menendez Medical Release, Maxwell Seeks Relief, Tesla Diner Debuts, & Netflix Bets on AI Jul 23, 2025

Israeli airstrikes kill at least 20 people in Gaza, including women and children, as Christian leaders call for an end to the nearly 21-month war. The Trump administration pressures Israel to conclude the conflict after a deadly church strike, while ceasefire talks in Qatar stall. Meanwhile, the U.S. announces it will leave UNESCO again, citing alleged anti-Israel bias and divisive agendas—just two years after rejoining. Erik Menendez, imprisoned for the 1989 killing of his parents, seeks early release to treat a serious medical condition ahead of a parole hearing that could test his life sentence. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell moves for prison relief from her sex-trafficking conviction as the Justice Department plans to meet with her lawyers and considers new subpoenas. Public and political pressure grows for answers in the Epstein case, even as Congress leaves Washington without voting to release more related files.

Global Calls for Gaza Ceasefire, Russia’s Escalating Strikes on Kyiv, California Challenges Trump, Troops Withdraw, FDA Shakeup, & In-N-Out’s Exit Jul 22, 2025

Britain, France, and 23 other countries demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, accusing Israel of blocking aid and worsening the humanitarian disaster. Meanwhile, Russia launches one of its largest air attacks on Kyiv in months, killing civilians and damaging shelters just before NATO meets to weigh President Trump’s plan to arm Ukraine. California sues the Trump administration over restrictions that block undocumented immigrants from vital public benefits. The Pentagon pulls Marines out of Los Angeles after protests against immigration raids. The FDA appoints biotech executive George Tidmarsh to lead drug regulation under RFK Jr., amid calls for reform. And In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder announces she’s leaving California, joining a wave of businesses moving east while the burger chain keeps its roots on the West Coast.

Homelessness Drops, Housing Risks Rise, and Fire Safety Debates Jul 21, 2025

Los Angeles County reports a second year of declining homelessness, but progress remains
slow as looming federal cuts threaten housing aid for over a million low-income renters.
Meanwhile, Californians turn to personal firefighting devices to protect their homes, sparking
debate over safety and effectiveness. Plus, a federal court blocks the FTC’s “click-to-cancel”
rule, leaving consumers to find new ways to end unwanted subscriptions.

Federal Pressure on California Jails &Rising UC Tuition Jul 18, 2025

The U.S. Justice Department demands lists of all noncitizen inmates from California jails, challenging the state’s sanctuary laws and threatening subpoenas if counties don’t comply. Meanwhile, the University of California considers raising its annual tuition increase cap from 5% to 7% to address budget cuts, inflation, and reduced federal support. Critics worry the plan focuses more on revenue than student aid, while a cohort-based tuition freeze is set to expire in 2026.

Deadly Gaza Aid Chaos, Trump’s Epstein Reversal, Deportations to Eswatini, Weather Cuts, AI Expansion, and Downtown LA Struggles Jul 17, 2025

At least 20 Palestinians die in a stampede at a Gaza food distribution site, with conflicting accounts of what triggered the deadly panic. Meanwhile, President Trump shocks his own supporters by dismissing demands to release Jeffrey Epstein’s client list, calling it a “Democrat hoax.” The U.S. sends migrants from Jamaica and Cuba to Eswatini under new third-country deportation deals. California’s National Weather Service faces dangerous staffing cuts as wildfire season intensifies. San Francisco and San Jose emerge as national leaders in AI innovation, while Los Angeles ranks close behind. And downtown LA businesses call for help to recover from immigration raids, tariffs, and pandemic-related losses. Listen for these stories and more from LA Times Studios.

USC Faces Budget Cuts, Trump Pressures Russia, Trump Epstein Backlash, Courts Block Immigration Raids, Nextdoor’s AI Turnaround, & SpaceX Orbital Drug Research Jul 16, 2025

USC warns of major layoffs and pay adjustments to close a $200 million deficit, citing falling federal support and international enrollment, while staff blame costly campus projects. Meanwhile, President Trump sends more U.S. weapons to Ukraine and gives Moscow 50 days to agree to peace or face new sanctions. Trump faces backlash from his base over conspiracy theories demanding an Epstein list the DOJ says doesn’t exist. Courts block his immigration raids in Southern California, ruling agents can’t target people by race or language alone. Meanwhile, Nextdoor struggles to revive its app with AI and news partnerships after stock losses, and SpaceX plans to use Starship for in-orbit drug research. Together, these stories show political turmoil and bold business moves shaping headlines.

Campus Antisemitism Hearings, Deadly Immigration Raid, Trump Reshapes Education, Russia Tariff Threat, Roblox Millionaires, and Tesla’s AI Gamble Jul 15, 2025

UC Berkeley’s chancellor prepares to testify before Congress as lawmakers investigate antisemitism and federal probes target universities nationwide. Meanwhile, a worker dies fleeing a federal immigration raid on a Camarillo pot farm that led to hundreds of detentions, sparking debate over enforcement tactics. We look at how civil rights, campus politics, and immigration enforcement collide as pressure mounts on schools and communities across the country. The Supreme Court allows President Trump to overhaul the Education Department, drawing praise from his administration and sharp criticism from educators. Trump gives Russia 50 days to end the war in Ukraine or face new tariffs targeting its trade partners. Teen developers on Roblox earn millions as the platform relaxes ownership rules. And Elon Musk plans to direct Tesla investments into his AI company, XAI, while assuring shareholders the two firms will remain separate despite controversy.

Federal Cuts Hit California, Olympics Image Push, AI and Disaster Misinformation, Tesla Expands to India Jul 14, 2025

California officials warn that federal budget cuts are undermining critical wildfire prevention and water programs—but say the state is fighting back. With the 2028 Olympics approaching, tourism leaders are working to boost California’s image despite safety concerns and financial risks. We also look at how AI chatbots are complicating disaster misinformation, and report on Tesla’s first deliveries to India as it seeks to tap into the country’s growing auto market.

Tunnel Collapse, Newsom’s National Push, Hollywood’s Struggles, and AI Abuse Surge Jul 11, 2025

Los Angeles County launches an investigation after a sanitation tunnel collapse traps 31 workers underground. Governor Gavin Newsom tours South Carolina, drawing both praise and criticism over his national ambitions. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s soundstage operators hope new state tax credits will revive production after a historic slowdown. Plus, a watchdog warns of a 400% surge in AI-generated child abuse imagery, calling for urgent regulation. Stay tuned for these stories and more from the LA Times newsroom.

Santa Monica Apology, Farmers Push Back, L.A. Killings Drop, Disaster Warnings Missed, Barbie’s Diabetes Doll, X CEO Exits Jul 10, 2025

Protesters in Santa Monica rally against Trump’s immigration raids and question the legacy of hometown figure Stephen Miller. California farmers dismiss claims that machines or Medicaid recipients can replace undocumented workers and urge legalization for essential labor. Homicides in Los Angeles fall 20%, setting the city on pace for its lowest total since 1968 despite LAPD budget concerns. Officials failed to act on federal disaster warnings before fires in L.A. and floods in Texas, delaying evacuation orders. Mattel debuts its first Barbie with Type 1 diabetes to reflect more children’s experiences. Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of Elon Musk’s X amid advertiser exits and controversy over antisemitic posts by the platform’s AI chatbot.

Supreme Court Backs Trump Layoffs, L.A. Targets Evictions, Meta Hires Apple Exec, California Aid at Risk Jul 09, 2025

The Supreme Court allows Trump to move forward with mass federal layoffs, while L.A. cracks down on “renovictions” to protect tenants. In tech, Meta poaches a top AI executive from Apple. Governor Newsom demands long-term disaster aid as a new lawsuit threatens funding for Latino and low-income college students. And Amazon’s Prime Day sees slower sales and fewer discounts amid rising tariffs.

Warehouse Explosion Kills Seven, Trump Signs Spending Bill, Epstein List Denied, Masked ICE Raids in L.A., EV Tax Credits Cut Jul 08, 2025

Seven are confirmed dead after a pyrotechnics warehouse explosion in Northern California. Firefighters battle the Madre Fire, the state’s largest blaze of the year. President Trump signs a sweeping spending bill that boosts military and immigration enforcement while cutting aid programs. Proposed NIH budget cuts freeze thousands of medical research projects. The Justice Department says Epstein had no client list, contradicting prior claims. Masked ICE raids spark lawsuits in L.A. State Farm faces investigation over wildfire insurance claims. And a GOP bill ends federal EV tax credits, threatening adoption.

California Fires Intensify, White Supremacist Indicted, Nordstrom to Close, L.A. Spends Mansion Tax Funds Jul 07, 2025

California fire season is off to a dangerous start, with experts warning of a severe year ahead. A California man is indicted for sharing a hit list with a white supremacist terror group. Nordstrom announces it will close its Santa Monica store after 15 years, amid concerns over safety. And the L.A. City Council approves a $425 million plan to use “mansion tax” funds for affordable housing and homelessness programs.

National Pride Dips, Tesla Struggles, Tinder Adds Facial Scans, and L.A. Fireworks Options Jul 04, 2025

A new Gallup poll shows national pride is dropping—especially among Democrats and Gen Z. Tesla sales continue to decline amid political backlash tied to Elon Musk. Tinder rolls out mandatory facial scan verification in California to fight scams. And despite growing divisions, Fourth of July fireworks celebrations are still happening across L.A., from the Hollywood Bowl to Catalina Island.

Diddy Verdict, Kamala’s Next Move, Amazon Worker Complaints, and Microsoft Layoffs Jul 03, 2025

Sean “Diddy” Combs avoids the most serious charges in a closely watched federal case. A new poll shows Kamala Harris is a clear favorite in the California governor’s race—if she runs. Jane Fonda and other celebrities call out Amazon over treatment of pregnant warehouse workers. And Microsoft announces layoffs, joining a growing list of tech companies cutting jobs in California.

Trump’s Megabill, Epstein File Claims, Apple’s A.I. Shift, and a Lululemon Lawsuit Jul 02, 2025

The Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax and healthcare bill by a single vote — but it still faces a challenge in the House. Questions grow around Pam Bondi’s claim of “tens of thousands” of Epstein videos, as legal experts say there’s no evidence they exist. Apple considers outsourcing Siri’s core technology to OpenAI or Anthropic as it struggles to compete in the A.I. space. And Lululemon files a lawsuit against Costco, accusing the wholesaler of selling lookalike gear that mimics its high-end designs.

Diddy Trial Questions, Harvard Sanctions Threat, Blue Shield Concerns, and Trump’s Tariff Warning Jul 01, 2025

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team pushes back on racketeering and trafficking charges, with legal experts saying a guilty verdict isn’t guaranteed. Meanwhile, the Trump administration accuses Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic abuse and warns it could lose federal funding. In California, Blue Shield faces criticism for moving its parent company out of state — a change approved quietly by regulators. And President Trump says he won’t extend a pause on global tariffs beyond July 9, urging countries to cut deals or face steep new trade penalties.

Gas Prices Climb, Fireworks Risk Rise, Consumer Spending Slows, and Battery Power Grows Jun 30, 2025

Gas prices in California are set to jump this July, with new taxes and refinery rules adding costs at the pump. Meanwhile, illegal fireworks are already lighting up L.A., raising safety and environmental concerns ahead of the Fourth of July. Across the U.S., consumers are pulling back on spending as inflation outpaces income growth, affecting travel, recreation, and more. And in the face of growing energy demands, big batteries are emerging as a key tool in preventing summer blackouts.

Supreme Court Medicaid Ruling, Diddy Trial Nears Verdict, Apple’s EU Overhaul, and BBQ Prices Rise Jun 27, 2025

The Supreme Court has ruled that states can block Medicaid patients from using Planned Parenthood, reshaping access to reproductive healthcare. In federal court, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial wraps up as the jury prepares to deliberate charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Meanwhile, Apple rolls out major changes to its App Store in Europe to avoid future antitrust fines, offering lower fees and more flexibility to developers. And in California, Fourth of July cookouts will cost more this year due to inflation, supply issues, and labor disruptions.

U.S. Global Commitments, California’s Budget Gamble, and Tesla Under Fire Jun 26, 2025

President Trump reaffirms NATO support and signals openness to aiding Ukraine if Russia resists a ceasefire. In California, lawmakers strike a $321-billion budget deal—hinging on a housing reform vote. A judge rules the state’s FAIR insurance plan illegally limited wildfire smoke claims, opening the door for thousands of homeowners to seek compensation. And Tesla’s new robotaxis draw federal scrutiny after test videos show alarming safety lapses.

Nuclear Fallout, Troop Orders, Housing Dip, and a Burger Lawsuit Jun 25, 2025

A Pentagon report challenges claims that U.S. strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear program, with experts saying the damage may only set them back a few months. A federal judge orders the Trump administration to hand over records related to military deployments in California. In housing news, Southern California sees its first year-over-year price dip since 2023. And In-N-Out sues a YouTuber for impersonating an employee and posting a prank video the company says spread false and harmful information.

Ceasefire, Immigration Raids, Hollywood Executive paydays, and Apple TV. Jun 24, 2025

President Trump announced on truth social late Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire deal. Protesters across L.A. rallied against immigration raids, which caused pushback from the LAPD and implemented a downtown curfew. Hollywood may be in crisis, but top executives are still cashing in. Apple just signed a new deal with media mogul Peter Chernin’s ‘North Road Studio’ — a move that could boost its growing presence in Hollywood.

ICE Publuc Transit Fears, Plastic Bag Wins and the Race for Driverless Tech Jun 23, 2025

A Pasadena immigration raid is rippling across L.A., where bus ridership has dropped amid growing fear of ICE enforcement on public transportation. A new study finds that plastic bag bans and fees are making a real difference—coastal cleanups show a sharp drop in bag pollution where policies are in place. The robotaxi wars are intensifying as Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla race toward a driverless future. Microsoft is planning another wave of job cuts, this time targeting sales roles as it pivots heavily toward AI.

Sweeping Federal Moves Redefine California’s Parks, Workforce, and Detention Policies Jun 20, 2025

A former prison in California is being converted into the state’s largest migrant detention facility under a new federal contract. Businesses across the state (from farms to hotels) are voicing concern about labor shortages tied to immigration enforcement. And under federal orders, national parks are replacing language about past injustices with messaging that centers American pride, raising alarm among historians and civil rights advocates.

As America Heats Up, So Do the Battles Over Rights and Power Jun 19, 2025

California braces for its most dangerous wildfire season yet, but sweeping federal cuts could leave the state exposed. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court upholds bans on gender-affirming care for trans teens, sparking fears of broader rollbacks. And in Los Angeles, immigration raids target undocumented workers while the employers who hire them continue to operate largely unchecked.

Bots, Bling, and Hollywood’s Digital Power Plays Jun 18, 2025

AI scammers are siphoning off millions in college financial aid, a record-breaking jewelry heist has finally led to federal indictments, and Hollywood is turning to Roblox and TikTok to reimagine movie marketing. We explore the rise of financial fraud powered by bots and stolen identities, a long-awaited breakthrough in the high-stakes Brink’s robbery, and how studios are transforming virtual worlds into box-office gold. As crime and culture collide across real and digital spaces, strange new frontiers are reshaping how people learn, steal, and sell in 2025.

Neuralink’s Vision Test, Homelessness Oversight Fight, and a New COVID Surge Warning Jun 17, 2025

A new COVID subvariant called “Nimbus” is driving a surge across California, with doctors warning of painful symptoms and weakened vaccine policies. A federal judge in Los Angeles is considering whether to take control of the city’s homelessness programs, citing mismanagement and missing data. Palisades and Altadena fire victims are suing State Farm, claiming they were grossly underinsured after devastating losses. Elon Musk’s Neuralink makes headlines for helping a monkey “see” an artificial image—pushing the limits of brain-computer tech.

Pay It Forward Student Loans, Grocery Worker Strike, and Mattel’s AI Toy Push Jun 16, 2025

A new “pay-it-forward” student loan model is gaining traction in cities like San Diego and Honolulu—offering interest-free funding with no payments due until graduates earn $50,000 a year. California’s Attorney General sues a Southern California real estate mogul, alleging widespread tenant abuse and unsafe living conditions. Toy giant Mattel teams up with OpenAI to develop AI-powered games and play experiences. And grocery workers at Kroger and Albertsons vote to authorize a strike over unfair labor practices.

Fear, Power, and Driverless Cars in the Battle Over Truth in LA Jun 13, 2025

Viral claims of ICE raids at school graduations and hotels in Los Angeles have been widely debunked, as officials push back against a wave of fear-fueled misinformation. In the courtroom, a federal judge is questioning Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in California, raising concerns about executive overreach and state authority. And in Austin, Tesla’s first fully driverless robotaxi signals a leap toward an autonomous, AI-powered future reflecting a nation navigating power struggles, blurred lines between fact and fiction, and the accelerating pace of technological change.

330 ICE Arrests, Armenian Gang Charges, and a Changing Downtown Jun 12, 2025

Federal agents have detained 330 immigrants in L.A. since Friday, with the White House vowing more to come. At the same time, car washes across L.A. and Orange County are the latest targets of immigration raids. Meanwhile, a violent gang war among Armenian organized crime groups is playing out in the San Fernando Valley. And in downtown Los Angeles, residents are staying committed to a walkable, vibrant lifestyle—even as the area adapts to post-pandemic shifts. This episode breaks down the major enforcement, safety, and community stories shaping the city.

Introducing: Rebuilding L.A. Jun 11, 2025

Please enjoy the first episode of the latest from L.A. Times Studios, Rebuilding L.A.

L.A. Times reporter Liam Dillon joins us to talk about where we are in the moment as residents assess the path forward. How are people grappling with the decision to rebuild and, ultimately, what factors are playing into those plans? Also, Altadena resident and lawyer Kelsey Szamet shares her very personal story about her efforts to get back home to the town where she was born and raised, and now lives with her own family.

Mexican President Responds to L.A. Raids, Glendale Ends ICE Deal, Waymo Vehicles Torched, and Apple Under Pressure Jun 10, 2025

Mexico’s president urges calm after immigration raids in L.A. trigger protests and fear among families. Glendale cuts ties with ICE after 18 years, citing community values. Waymo suspends downtown service after several of its robotaxis are burned during demonstrations. And Apple’s annual showcase comes as the company faces mounting challenges from AI setbacks and trade tensions.

L.A. Tech Scandal, Transit Breakthrough, VC Surge, and Fire Victims Fight Back Jun 09, 2025

A legal battle between a startup founder and a venture capitalist is rocking L.A.’s tech scene. Metro finally opens a long-awaited transit hub to connect travelers to LAX. Venture capital is pouring into Southern California startups, expanding far beyond AI. And wildfire victims are suing major insurers, claiming they were sold policies that left them without enough to rebuild.

Governor Candidates Clash on Costs, Trump’s Travel Ban Returns, Hollywood Layoffs, and Musk’s Tesla Reset Jun 06, 2025

California’s leading governor candidates face off over the state’s affordability crisis. President Trump reinstates a controversial travel ban impacting 12 countries. Warner Bros. Discovery cuts jobs as its cable division struggles. And Elon Musk returns focus to Tesla amid falling sales and rising pressure to deliver on key promises.

National Security, Federal Spending, and the Push to Regulate AI Jun 05, 2025

A toxic fungus smuggled into a Michigan lab sparks national security concerns. California’s $100 billion high-speed rail project hits a major roadblock as the federal government threatens to pull funding. And after a teen’s tragic death, lawmakers take a closer look at AI chatbots, pushing a new bill to make them safer for young users.

Supreme Court Rejects AR-15 Case, CEQA Overhaul Advances, Disney Layoffs Hit, Nail Salons Sue California Jun 03, 2025

The Supreme Court turns down a challenge to assault weapon bans in states like California and Maryland. Lawmakers push to overhaul CEQA, aiming to speed up housing and infrastructure projects. Disney cuts hundreds of jobs in a continued restructuring effort. And Vietnamese American nail salon owners sue California, arguing the state’s labor law unfairly targets their community.

COVID Variant Spreads, Avocado Farmers Fight Back, Inflation Slows and Cheetos Lawsuit Dismissed Jun 02, 2025

A new COVID subvariant is spreading in California just as the Trump administration moves to ease vaccine access. Meanwhile, one San Diego avocado farmer is battling climate change, Mexican imports, and industry politics to save California’s iconic crop. On the economic front, inflation cooled last month, but experts say new tariffs could reverse that trend. And a judge dismissed the high-profile lawsuit from Richard Montañez over the origin of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

FBI to Release Epstein Jail Video; Santa Monica Fights Waymo; Elyse Walker Rebuilds Flagship May 30, 2025

The FBI says it will release video footage to prove Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, aiming to end years of speculation. In Santa Monica, residents are taking on Waymo’s driverless taxis, blocking cars and demanding quieter streets. In fashion news, Elyse Walker announces her flagship store will reopen in 2026 at Palisades Village after losing it to the fires. And in California’s insurance market, lawsuits accuse major providers of colluding to push homeowners onto a costly state plan.

Inside Diddy’s Investigation, California's Title IX Fight, and the Rise of AI Shopping May 29, 2025

New details emerge in the federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, including allegations of violence and coercion. The Justice Department is investigating California schools over transgender athletes and potential Title IX violations, and tech giants like Google and Amazon are rolling out AI tools that could reshape how people shop.

Trump Targets CA Funding, Kennedy Alters Vaccine Guidance, NPR Sues and Disney Takes CoComelon May 28, 2025

President Trump threatens to cut California’s federal funding over transgender athletes. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says COVID vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. NPR sues the Trump administration over defunding public media. And Disney will become the new home for “CoComelon,” pulling the hit preschool show from Netflix in 2027.

Record Settlement, Rising Talent, and a Legal Showdown May 27, 2025

Southern California Edison agrees to pay $82.5 million for its role in the Bobcat Fire. In Yucaipa, 11-year-old Alisa Perales becomes the youngest community college graduate in her school’s history. Meanwhile, Disney sues YouTube over a high-profile executive hire, escalating the fight between streaming giants. And in Silver Lake, one couple spends $830,000 on a bold hillside ADU that blends luxury, fitness, and design.

Senate Pushback, Dirty Beaches, and Digital Darth Vader May 26, 2025

Senate Republicans vote to overturn California’s clean car rules, potentially blocking the state’s 2035 gas car ban. Santa Monica Pier lands on the list of California’s dirtiest beaches again, raising health concerns. Louis Vuitton unveils plans for a striking new flagship store on Rodeo Drive designed by Frank Gehry. And SAG-AFTRA files a labor complaint against Epic Games for using AI to replicate James Earl Jones’ voice as Darth Vader in Fortnite.

Senate GOP Pushes Back, Aid Event Turns Deadly, Edison Faces Fire Fallout, and AI in Film May 23, 2025

House Republicans pass Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, but some Senate Republicans say major changes are needed. In Washington, D.C., two Israeli Embassy workers are shot and killed outside a Gaza aid event, now being investigated as an act of terror. Southern California Edison faces backlash over a proposed 10% rate hike as questions swirl over its role in recent wildfires. And in Hollywood, Google backs a new short film project that aims to reshape how audiences think about artificial intelligence.

Trump’s Beautiful Bill, California’s Quake Risk, and AI’s Next Frontier May 22, 2025

Trump’s sweeping 1,000-page bill proposes permanent tax breaks, deep cuts to social programs, and new financial benefits for newborns. In California, $33 million in federal earthquake retrofit funding just vanished, jeopardizing safety upgrades to vulnerable buildings. And OpenAI just made a $6.5 billion deal, teaming up with former Apple design chief to build what they’re calling the future of computing.

Introducing: L.A. Crimes May 21, 2025

Please enjoy a featured clip of L.A. Times Studio's latest production, L.A. Crimes. On this episode, Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Palm Springs Bombing, Housing Progress, DNA Data Sale, and AI in Healthcare May 20, 2025

Federal agents are investigating a deadly bombing at a Palm Springs fertility clinic, with growing attention on the suspect’s online manifesto. In the same region, a new affordable housing project is giving hope amid California’s housing crisis. Meanwhile, 23andMe has sold its vast DNA database to Regeneron following bankruptcy. And in the healthcare sector, AI is beginning to replace call center workers, raising questions about efficiency, empathy, and the future of patient care.

Cassie’s Testimony, Delta Tunnel Fast-Track, Rising Prices, and a $34.5B Cable Merger May 19, 2025

Cassie Ventura’s explosive testimony in the Sean “Diddy” Combs federal trial alleges years of abuse and could prove central to the case. Plus, Governor Gavin Newsom pushes to speed up a $20-billion water tunnel project through the Delta. Walmart, Mattel, and others say new tariffs are forcing price hikes that will hit consumers hard. And Charter announces a $34.5 billion deal to acquire Cox Communications, potentially reshaping the cable TV industry.

California’s Budget Cuts, Menendez Parole Bid, Waymo Recall, and Electric Tugboats May 15, 2025

California faces a $39 billion deficit, prompting Governor Newsom to propose deep spending cuts, including changes to Medi-Cal. The Menendez brothers may soon be eligible for parole after a new sentencing decision. Waymo recalls over 1,200 self-driving cars following minor crashes tied to a software issue. And a Torrance startup aims to electrify tugboats at the Port of Los Angeles, marking a major shift toward cleaner maritime operations.

Trump’s Saudi Deal, California’s Income Crisis, and Olympic Studio Plans May 14, 2025

Trump signs a $600 billion deal with Saudi Arabia, including a record defense package. In California, making under $100K now qualifies as low income in several counties. Hollywood Park will become the global media hub for the 2028 Olympics with a new movie studio. Meanwhile, inflation slows again—but experts say Trump’s tariffs may raise prices later this year.

Drug Price Deadline, Homeless Camp Crackdown, Eye-Scan IDs, and State Farm Under Fire May 13, 2025

President Trump gives drug companies 30 days to cut prices or face new limits on what the U.S. will pay. Governor Newsom pushes California cities to ban homeless encampments as $3.3 billion in new funding rolls out. Sam Altman’s eye-scanning ID project lands in L.A., sparking privacy fears. And California’s insurance commissioner weighs a formal probe into State Farm’s handling of wildfire claims.

Menendez Case Moves Forward, Paramount Gains, and the State Bar Fallout May 12, 2025

The Menendez brothers take a major step toward a potential resentencing as legal fights escalate. California’s State Bar faces financial fallout after a failed exam rollout and controversial AI-generated questions. U.S. farmers begin to feel the pinch of Trump’s new tariffs, with equipment delays and profit losses hitting hard. Meanwhile, Paramount Global beats expectations, thanks to growth at Paramount+ and ongoing merger talks with Skydance.

Trump’s New Surgeon General, LA28 Plans, and a Meat Snack Empire May 09, 2025

President Trump nominates Dr. Casey Means, a holistic health influencer, to be the next U.S. surgeon general. LA’s Olympic Coliseum is set to make history again in 2028 as it co-hosts the opening and closing ceremonies. In Vernon, snack company Archer is taking over the old Farmer John plant to expand meat stick production and create hundreds of jobs. And in global news, Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer are moving toward a new trade deal that would lower tariffs on cars and steel in exchange for more U.S. exports.

Nevada Public Lands, Californians Critique Newsom, Film tax incentives, and Abu Dhabi Disney May 08, 2025

House Republicans are pushing to sell thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah as part of a sweeping tax and spending plan. More than half of California voters think Governor Gavin Newsom is more focused on his political future than fixing problems at home. Hollywood *might* be getting a surprise push from an unlikely alliance between Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom. Disney is now setting its sight on the middle east.

Hep A Outbreak, Real ID Rollout, Mattel Tariffs, and WGA Trial Tensions May 07, 2025

L.A. County declares a hepatitis A outbreak with cases rising beyond the homeless population. Real ID requirements officially kick in at U.S. airports, with experts warning of potential delays. Mattel considers raising toy prices in response to steep Trump-era tariffs on Chinese imports. And inside the Writers Guild, a trial committee member speaks out over what she calls a flawed expulsion process tied to last year’s strike.

Leadership Shakeups, Mail Delays, and Corporate Power Plays May 06, 2025

Top L.A. firefighters union leaders are suspended after an audit reveals $800,000 in undocumented spending. UPS and the U.S. Postal Service announce major job cuts and route changes, as mail volume drops and costs rise. Skechers heads into a $9.4 billion deal to go private with backing from 3G Capital. And OpenAI says its nonprofit board will remain in control of its for-profit business.

Altadena Break-Ins, Trump’s Budget Cuts, Job Market Signals, and a Shipping Shakeup May 05, 2025

Security cameras are going up in Altadena after a surge in burglaries, but some locals say it’s not enough. President Trump’s 2026 budget proposes deep cuts to domestic programs while boosting military spending. Despite strong job growth in April, economists warn that trade wars and government cuts could cool the labor market. And a shipping loophole that kept online prices low is now closed raising costs for sites like Shein and Temu, and potentially for consumers across the U.S.

California’s Clean Air Fight, Warehouse Rush Amid Tariffs, and Starbucks Wage Showdown May 02, 2025

California faces a Senate showdown over its right to ban new gas-only cars by 2035. New data shows the state’s population numbers are back on the rise, signaling a slow post-pandemic recovery. In labor news, Starbucks workers reject a wage offer after two years of stalled negotiations. And at the ports, bonded warehouses are seeing surging demand as companies try to delay steep new tariffs.

California on Edge as Quake Risk Grows, Detention Conditions Erode, and Southwest Airlines Changes Spark Backlash May 01, 2025

California’s immigration detention centers are under fire for falling short on mental health care and safety standards. A massive earthquake along the Cascadia fault could sink coastal areas by six feet and dramatically expand flood zones. Southern California Edison faces potential liability in the billions after the deadly Eaton Fire, and Southwest Airlines is ending open seating and limiting free checked bags, sparking frustration among loyal travelers.

Trump’s First 100 Days, Amazon Clash, Kobe Mural Restored, and California’s Doctor Shortage Apr 30, 2025

President Trump marks 100 days into his second term with sweeping executive actions and rising criticism over tariffs. Amazon and the White House clash over transparency on rising costs. In L.A., Luka Dončić steps up to help restore a vandalized Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural. And in California, a deepening shortage of primary care doctors is pushing small practices to the brink — despite new state investments.

Palisades Fire Test, L.A. County Strike, Tech Layoffs, Dollar Drops Apr 29, 2025

Federal investigators begin a controlled burn in Pacific Palisades to determine the cause of January’s deadly fire. Tens of thousands of L.A. County workers walk off the job, disrupting major public services. Tech layoffs surge across California, shaking confidence in an industry long seen as secure. And the U.S. dollar faces its worst first 100 days under a president since 1973, raising fears of a longer-term economic shift.

Measles Risks Rise, E. Coli Lawsuits Mount, Jack in the Box Shutters Stores Apr 28, 2025

Stanford scientists warn that if childhood vaccination rates stay low, measles could become as common as the flu by 2050. A California produce supplier faces lawsuits over a deadly E. coli outbreak that was never publicly disclosed by the FDA, raising serious food safety concerns. Jack in the Box announces plans to close more than 150 locations nationwide as rising costs and debt force a major restructuring. Major budget cuts to LADOT could derail Los Angeles’ Olympic transit plans and jeopardize traffic safety initiatives.

California’s Economy Grows, Port Traffic Shrinks, and a Real ID Deadline Nears Apr 25, 2025

California’s economy is now the world’s fourth-largest, but new federal tariffs could put that growth at risk. Meanwhile, the state is racing to get more residents signed up for a Real ID before the May 7 deadline, which will impact domestic travel. At the Port of Los Angeles, imports are already dropping as major retailers pull back due to trade tensions. And in Long Beach, hospitality workers at the convention center have secured raises, healthcare, and stronger pensions following a wage dispute.

Bar Exam AI Sparks Outrage, Homeless Funds Under Scrutiny, Amazon Faces Union Showdown Apr 24, 2025

California’s State Bar admits it used AI to write bar exam questions, triggering outrage, legal review, and calls for reform. Los Angeles voters approved billions in new homelessness taxes, but the maze of oversight boards has left even elected officials struggling to track results. The NLRB says Amazon must negotiate with Teamsters at its San Francisco warehouse, a case that could set a national precedent. Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max joins the streaming crackdown on password sharing.

A New Pope, ICE Raids, Labor Disruptions, and a Major Opioid Settlement Apr 23, 2025

The Catholic Church prepares to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. Southeast Asian immigrants in Southern California are being detained or deported during routine ICE check-ins. Labor negotiations across California stall after the Trump administration fires federal mediators. And Walgreens agrees to pay up to $350 million in an opioid settlement as it prepares to close 1,200 stores.

Pope Francis Remembered, Mayor Bass Charts L.A.’s Future, Wall Street Stumbles Again Apr 22, 2025

Californians mourn the passing of Pope Francis, honoring his legacy of compassion, inclusion, and peace. Mayor Karen Bass delivers a hopeful State of the City speech, outlining plans to tackle L.A.’s budget crisis, streamline fire recovery, and combat homelessness. A 53-story residential tower gets the green light in downtown L.A., promising hundreds of new apartments amid a housing shortage. On Wall Street, a dramatic drop in the stock market and concerns about the U.S. dollar spark investor anxiety.

LAX Falls in Rankings, RFK Assassination Files Released, Gold Prices Surge, and Trader Joe’s Expands Apr 21, 2025

LAX drops out of the top 10 busiest airports in the world as regional airports like Long Beach and Burbank break records. Newly declassified documents on the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy are being released by President Trump, fueling renewed interest in the case. As gold prices hit record highs, more people are melting down old jewelry for fast cash, though experts warn against selling heirlooms. And Trader Joe’s announces five new stores in California, part of a larger national expansion effort.

Google Monopoly Ruling, Union Moves, and a Menendez Trial Delay Apr 18, 2025

California lawmakers push for a bill that would pause mortgage payments for disaster survivors—no interest, no penalties, no taxpayer cost. Hopes for the Menendez brothers' release hit a snag as a key hearing is delayed over a clemency report. Hundreds of Southern California Edison techs are moving to unionize in the wake of wildfire scrutiny. And a federal judge rules Google held an illegal monopoly in online ad tech.

Newsom Sues Over Tariffs, Meta Faces Breakup, and AI Chip Export Controls Trigger Tech Stock Sell-Off Apr 17, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit challenging the scope of President Trump’s authority to impose tariffs, citing potential economic impacts on California’s trade partnerships. Meta is in the midst of a high-profile federal trial that could lead to the divestiture of Instagram and WhatsApp. Tech stocks fell sharply after Nvidia projected a $5.5 billion loss due to new U.S. export controls on AI chips. And in San Luis Obispo, a man who had been living on the streets won $1 million from a California Lottery scratcher.

Robotaxis, 2028 Olympic Venues and a $10M Heist in Downtown LA Apr 16, 2025

A dramatic Hollywood-style heist rocked downtown L.A., as thieves tunneled into a jewelry shop and made off with over $10 million in gold and gems. LA28 announced Dodger Stadium and other venues for the 2028 Olympics. Amazon’s Zoox is launching its robotaxi tests on L.A. streets this summer. And fashion retailer Revolve faces a $50 million lawsuit over hidden influencer ads.

Immigration Shifts, PCH Reopening, Tariffs Hit Tourism and Stocks Rebound Apr 15, 2025

A dramatic shift in immigration shows more highly skilled workers arriving from Asia, transforming tech hubs and job markets. Tourism takes a hit amid trade tensions, global markets rally as the White House temporarily eases tariffs on electronics, plus a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway damaged by fire and floods may finally reopen.

Sea Stars, Sidewalk Bots, Soboroff’s Exit, and AI Job Hacks Apr 14, 2025

Steve Soboroff steps down from L.A.’s fire recovery team with some parting criticism. In Monterey Bay, scientists are working to revive a giant starfish that could help rescue California’s kelp forests. Meanwhile, DoorDash robots are hitting L.A. sidewalks, and job seekers are relying on AI tools to stand out — but not always in a good way.

California Lawsuit, Hantavirus Deaths, Tariff Pain, and Prada’s Big Buy Apr 11, 2025

California is suing the Trump administration over plans to take back pandemic-era school funding. In Mammoth Lakes, three people have died from hantavirus, prompting fresh warnings about rodent exposure. L.A. importers are scrambling as new tariffs threaten to spike prices and squeeze small businesses. And in the world of fashion, Prada has just bought Versace for $1.38 billion—marking a major shake-up in luxury retail.

Hollywood, Homeless Funds & the Fight to Unionize Apr 09, 2025

The feds just launched a criminal task force to investigate potential fraud in L.A.'s homelessness funding. Hollywood may lose access to China’s massive movie market as trade tensions escalate. California lawmakers are pushing to give Uber and Lyft drivers the right to unionize without losing contractor status. And broadcast TV is on the ropes—station owners are asking D.C. for help as streaming keeps eating into their audience.

New Leadership, High-Tech Tariffs & Renters' Relief Apr 08, 2025

Los Angeles gets a new deputy mayor for public safety as former FBI agent Robert Clark. The Supreme Court pauses a controversial deportation case that could reshape immigration power. Apple and other tech giants brace for Trump’s sweeping tariffs, with iPhone prices projected to soar. And a new California bill could require landlords to provide kitchen appliances—finally catching up with the rest of the country.

Fire Zones, Tariff Fallout & TikTok's New Deadline Apr 07, 2025

California expands its wildfire hazard zones, affecting millions of residents and triggering new rules on home safety. Governor Newsom pushes back on Trump’s sweeping tariffs, promising global partners that California remains open for trade. TikTok gets another last-minute reprieve, with President Trump extending the sell-or-ban deadline. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off homer turns into a collector’s goldmine, as his Dodger Stadium bobblehead skyrockets in value.

Markets Dive, Schools on Deadline, and Hollywood Slows Down Apr 04, 2025

Trump’s sweeping tariffs send markets into a tailspin—and some fear a recession could be next. Schools across the country are on a 10-day countdown to drop DEI programs or lose billions in funding. In Woodland Hills, a luxury apartment complex is getting an affordable housing makeover. And in Hollywood, soundstages sit eerily empty as production slows and lawmakers scramble to save California’s film industry.

Liberation Day, Insurance Spikes, and California’s Governor Race Heats Up Apr 03, 2025

Trump declares “Liberation Day” and hits global imports with sweeping new tariffs—sparking fears of a trade war. Xavier Becerra jumps into the California governor’s race, as speculation swirls around Kamala Harris. State Farm wants another rate hike—this time 39% on umbrella policies. And Warner Bros. tries to win back Hollywood with a star-studded slate of blockbusters

Prison Empires, Power Lines, and Billion-Dollar Tech Plays Apr 02, 2025

A convicted killer running a criminal network from behind bars. A wildfire investigation zeroing in on a re-energized power line. Elon Musk’s surprise merger that gives X investors a stake in one of AI’s hottest startups. And OpenAI just raised a record $40 billion — but there’s a catch.

Sales Tax Hike, Trump’s 3rd Term Talk, and the Rise of AI Gyms Apr 01, 2025

Sales taxes just went up across L.A. County—find out how much more you’ll pay and where that money’s going. Plus, Trump says he’s seriously thinking about a third term, despite the Constitution. At the box office, theaters are hurting, but some are getting creative to bring moviegoers back. And in Santa Monica, a futuristic gym is using AI to personalize your workouts in real time.

Seagrass, Firefighters, and Apple’s Big Move Mar 31, 2025

An ocean meadow with superpowers is being torn apart, L.A. firefighters face toxic threats from recent wildfires, and Apple bets big on Hollywood with a massive new complex in Culver City. Plus, a warning from the Congressional Budget Office: U.S. economic growth could slow for decades.

Health Cuts, Gang Indictments, Car Tariffs & Retail Shakeups Mar 28, 2025

RFK Jr. proposes deep cuts to federal health agencies, including the CDC and FDA. A high-profile Crips leader faces a sweeping federal indictment. Trump’s new 25% tariff on imported cars could cost drivers, and Dollar Tree ditches Family Dollar after a rocky decade.

Swatting Hoaxes, Space Rocks, and Rideshare Battles Mar 27, 2025

A swatting hoax sparks chaos at a California college—and lawmakers want to close the legal loophole that let it happen. NASA gears up to launch a $1.4 billion mission to spot city-killing asteroids before they strike. Plus, rideshare drivers rally over $1.3 billion in unpaid wages, and Rivian bets big on small EVs.

Arrest in L.A. Rape Case, Fire Lawsuits Heat Up, and Tariffs Rattle Alcohol Industry Mar 26, 2025

A serial rapist is behind bars after DNA evidence connects him to crimes spanning two decades. In Altadena, Erin Brockovich and Ben Crump lead the charge for wildfire victims in a legal fight worth billions. California’s alcohol industry is bracing for massive price hikes as new tariffs loom. And Hollywood studios just named a new lead negotiator, as the industry continues to recover from last year’s strikes.

Leaked Chats, Sick Sea Lions & a DNA Goldmine Mar 25, 2025

A U.S. war plan accidentally leaked to a journalist. Sick sea lions invading beaches. 23andMe files for bankruptcy—and your DNA could be sold. Plus, L.A. launches a bold plan to rebuild wildfire-hit neighborhoods.

Burning Teslas, AI Tacos & Water from the Sea Mar 24, 2025

Teslas are being torched and defaced across the country, as Elon Musk becomes a political flashpoint. Plus, California tests a wild new way to turn ocean water into drinking water—no massive plants or toxic brine required. Also, AI is about to take your drive-thru order, thanks to a new Yum Brands–Nvidia deal. And Wall Street breaks its losing streak with tech stocks bouncing back... kind of

Introducing, Boiling Point: Climate Change Is No Joke. Or Is It? Mar 22, 2025

Introducing a new podcast from LA Times Studios and award-winning L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth, Boiling Point, where Sammy breaks down the many complexities of today's climate challenges and solutions with top experts in the field. In this episode comedian Esteban Gast talks with Sammy about using humor to alleviate climate anxiety, while making clean energy and other environmental solutions more interesting — and even fun. From punchlines to policy, they explore laughter as a powerful tool for change.

Missed Warnings, Voter Fury, and First-Class Upgrades Mar 21, 2025

A convicted rapist, two dead women, and years of missed chances. We dig into the troubling case of David Pearce. Plus, California Democrats face voter anger over Trump and Musk, Delta doubles down on luxury at LAX, and Mattel lays off over 100 workers in a cost-cutting shakeup.

JFK Files Declassified, UC Hiring Freeze & Tesla’s Taxi Test Mar 20, 2025

The Trump administration just released 80,000 pages of JFK assassination files, but no major revelations have been found—yet. Meanwhile, the University of California freezes hiring to protect research funding as Trump threatens education cuts. Hollywood secures record-breaking tax credits to keep productions in the state, and Tesla gets approval for a taxi permit—but only for its employees.

Gaza Cease-Fire Shattered, Google’s $32B Deal & Climate Cuts Mar 19, 2025

War erupts in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes kill over 400 people, ending the cease-fire. Meanwhile, Google makes its biggest buyout ever, snatching up cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion. Plus, the Trump administration slashes environmental offices in California, and Tetra Tech’s stock takes a hit after federal aid cuts.

Diplomatic Fallout, Medi-Cal’s Billions, and Soaring Credit Card Debt Mar 18, 2025

The U.S. orders South Africa’s ambassador to leave, escalating tensions between the two countries. California’s Medi-Cal program faces a $6.2 billion shortfall, putting healthcare funding in the spotlight. SoCal cities top the nation in credit card debt, while Dodgers fans finally get a streaming-only option—but it’s not cheap.

Toxic Waste, Trade Wars, and Wage Theft Mar 17, 2025

A recycling plant scandal lands its owners in jail after exposing students to toxic waste. Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs for California businesses. And a Long Beach contractor faces accusations of wage theft and tax evasion. Get the latest on these major stories now!

Budget Battles, Banned Corn, and Big Tech Troubles Mar 14, 2025

California’s $9.5 billion healthcare program for undocumented immigrants is $3 billion over budget, forcing lawmakers to consider tough cuts. Mexico just banned genetically modified corn, pushing back against U.S. agribusiness. Tech stocks are tumbling—what’s behind the sell-off? And the Olympics are staying put! NBC secures broadcast rights through 2036 in a massive $3 billion deal.

LAPD Secrets, Earthquakes, and Rising Health Care Costs Mar 13, 2025

In this episode, we uncover secret LAPD recordings revealing disturbing behavior within the force. Plus, Malibu’s earthquake surge, skyrocketing health insurance premiums, and the surge in demand for home furnishings after California’s wildfires.

California’s Controversial Water Dump Mar 13, 2025

Billions of gallons of water were released from two California dams, despite warnings it could cause flooding and waste resources. What led to the decision? Plus, baby great white sharks are swimming near surfers, shopping malls are transforming into wellness hubs, and Pokémon Go is getting a new home in a massive $3.5 billion deal.

Angelenos Support Tougher Building Codes Mar 12, 2025

Wildfires are reshaping public opinion, but will lawmakers act? Katie Porter shakes up the 2026 governor’s race, State Farm faces backlash over insurance delays, and Southwest Airlines ditches its free bag policy.

Egg Prices, Bitcoin, and a Corrupt Cop Mar 10, 2025

Egg prices are soaring, and Democrats see it as a way to win back voters, while Trump shifts blame to Biden. An L.A. sheriff’s deputy is caught smuggling heroin for the Mexican Mafia. Trump launches a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, marking a major shift in U.S. crypto policy. Meanwhile, the government suddenly drops a lawsuit against Zelle, signaling a major pullback on financial regulation.

Newsom’s Surprising Take on Trans Athletes Mar 07, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom shifts his stance, calling fairness concerns in trans sports “legit,” stirring debate among Democrats. Plus, Pacific Palisades residents finally get safe drinking water after the wildfire, Tesla takes a key step toward robotaxis in California, and Stater Bros. lays off workers for the first time in 89 years—sparking protests

Cleaning Up America’s Food—But At What Cost? Mar 06, 2025

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to ban harmful food additives, but can stricter oversight get funded? L.A. launches a plan to build affordable starter homes, families sue Snapchat over fentanyl deaths, and Forever 21 downsizes amid online competition.

Trump’s Trade War and California’s Water Crisis Mar 05, 2025

Trump’s tariffs spark a trade war with Mexico and Canada, raising costs for U.S. consumers. In California, job cuts at the Bureau of Reclamation threaten the state’s water system, while lawmakers push for stronger protections for migrant workers. Plus, L.A. faces billions in economic losses from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Trump’s Return: A Speech That Could Redefine Executive Power Mar 04, 2025

Trump returns to Congress, pushing for expanded executive power—while some Democrats protest. Pacific Palisades debates new affordable housing, but not everyone’s on board. More tech layoffs hit HP and Autodesk as companies brace for uncertainty. And Kroger’s CEO resigns after an ethics investigation, leaving the company at a crossroads.

Measles Outbreak Warning: L.A.'s First Case Mar 03, 2025

In this episode, Los Angeles reports its first measles case in nearly a decade, raising concerns about vaccination rates and public exposure. Plus, California’s bar exam rollout turns into a tech disaster, the state’s wine industry faces a perfect storm of challenges, and Mattel regains the rights to make DC action figures.

Hollywood Crime Thriller or Real-Life Murder? Feb 28, 2025

In this episode, the trial of a murdered Hollywood pimp reveals a tangled web of gang rivalries, Russian prison tattoos, and a deadly power struggle. Plus, L.A. 2028 Olympics organizers push to secure billions in funding, Amazon’s new AI-powered Alexa+ promises to be your “digital best friend” for a price, and malls transform into entertainment hubs to lure back shoppers.

Newsom Weighs Clemency for the Menendez Brothers Feb 27, 2025

In this episode, California Governor Gavin Newsom takes a key step toward possible clemency for the Menendez brothers—could they be released in 2025? Plus, federal workers who voted for Trump are now losing their jobs, Forever 21 faces another bankruptcy, and poultry farmers question whether mass culling is the best way to fight bird flu.

Newsom's $920M Plan To Address Homelessness Feb 26, 2025

In our latest episode where we discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's bold $920 million initiative to tackle California's homelessness crisis, demanding local accountability and progress. We also touch on the alarming shift of wildfires into urban areas like Altadena, impacting diverse communities. The episode further explores the controversy surrounding teens confiding in AI chatbots, raising questions about tech companies' responsibilities. Plus, we cover Warner Bros. shutting down three game studios and axing the Wonder Woman game, signaling a strategic shift in their gaming division.

Weather Woes and Corporate Moves Feb 25, 2025

This episode explores the environmental and business shifts making waves. We start with fire debris washing up on LA's beaches, a concern for health officials and a call for caution among beachgoers. Then, we turn up the heat with Southern California's record-breaking winter warmth. In the corporate world, Starbucks' layoffs of 1,100 employees, a strategic move under new CEO Brian Niccol to boost operations. Meanwhile, Apple's massive $500 billion investment in the U.S., promising to reshape the tech industry amidst ongoing trade tensions.

No Land of Refuge: Inside Jordan's Gaza Refugee Camp Feb 24, 2025

This Headlines episode begins in Jordan's Jerash refugee camp, where dire conditions challenge Palestinians amidst political upheaval. We then explore California's solar energy credit debate, illustrating the clash between environmental goals and economic realities. The narrative also covers Trader Joe’s recall of its organic acai bowl, reflecting broader food safety concerns. Lastly, we examine the economic fallout from the Los Angeles fires on the insurance industry.

McConnell Won't Seek Reelection in 2026 Feb 21, 2025

In this episode, we delve into Senator Mitch McConnell's pivotal decision not to seek reelection in 2026, a move that stirs the political pot in the GOP and Kentucky. Beyond this headline, we touch on the contentious advance of affordable housing in the San Fernando Valley, a noteworthy trend towards fireproof 'SuperAdobe' homes in LA amid wildfire concerns, the persistent allure of U.S. universities for Chinese students despite geopolitical tensions, and the unusual spike in egg confiscations at the U.S.-Mexico border due to the bird flu outbreak. Join us for a succinct exploration of these compelling stories.

Airbnb co-founder donations $15 million to Steadfast LA to help wildfire victims rebuild Feb 20, 2025

When wildfires strike, some communities burn—but one neighborhood in Irvine proves that doesn’t have to be the case. A controversial procedure—leg lengthening surgery—is gaining popularity. LA County is taking steps to protect renters following January’s devastating fires. The LA Unified School District has implemented a cellphone ban. In the first month of President Trump’s administration, thousands of federal workers have been fired. And billionaire Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, is donating $15 million to Steadfast LA to help wildfire victims rebuild.

President Trump renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America Feb 19, 2025

Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco enters the race for California governor. Insurers in California have been pulling out of high-risk wildfire areas, leaving home owners struggling to find coverage. President Donald Trump sparks controversy by renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. California lawmakers weigh the possibility of state-owned oil refineries. A new California state bill seeks to ban the sale of powerful anti-aging products to minors.

The Egg Price Hike: Why Californians Are Paying More for Breakfast Feb 18, 2025

Egg prices are skyrocketing, hitting Californians hard. Freight trains loaded with Nike merchandise have become targets for thieves in California. U.S. inflation is on the rise again, while Trump’s proposed tariffs could push it even higher. A tragic day unfolds on the slopes at Tahoe Ski Resort.

Altadena’s Water Crisis: Why Residents Still Can’t Drink the Tap Feb 17, 2025

Weeks after the devastating fires, many in Altadena still lack access to clean drinking water. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is facing a wave of lawsuits and has responded by hiring a top law firm, at rates of up to $1975 an hour. Meanwhile, California is at the center of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, raising concerns that some crucial communities are not being properly monitored. Wildfires have devastated the state this year, sparking a major battle over fire prevention. In Los Angeles, the housing crisis deepens, and now one city is facing a lawsuit over its plan to address it.

Could ten more patrolling engines have prevented the Palisades Fire? Feb 14, 2025

According to the CDC, bird flu infections in dairy cows are more widespread than previously thought. When flames erupted in the Pacific Palisades, fire crews took 18 minutes to arrive—but by then, it was too late. Now, former LAFD officials say at least 10 more engines should have been deployed in advance to patrol the area. Immigration raids may be coming to Southern California, and activists are preparing to fight back. Amazon is bringing 2,000 new jobs to the Inland Empire. Meanwhile, Elon Musk is facing a major legal battle, as California and more than a dozen other states sue the Trump administration over his role as the President’s personal budget advisor.

Could Canada really become America’s 51st state? Feb 13, 2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sparks controversy by opting not to require soil testing after the Eaton and Palisades Fires. Meanwhile, economic losses from the wildfires have soared past $250 billion, hitting the entertainment and tourism industries especially hard. Tensions between Canada and the U.S. are on the rise—could Canada really become America’s 51st state? California is also battling one of its worst flu seasons in years, with hospitalizations surging across the state. And in an unexpected success story, Compton Unified School District is earning praise for its remarkable academic turnaround.

How trans surfers find community Apr 28, 2023

Trans surfers are beginning to find community among themselves in a sport that too often isolates and even shuns them.

Today, we hang out with some at the beach, to hear their joy and pain. Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times senior producer Denise Guerra

More reading:
Biden sports plan angers transgender advocates and opponents

Black surfers find moments of reflection, rejuvenation at ‘A Great Day in the Stoke’

For transgender kids, a frantic rush for treatment amid bans

Masters of Disasters origin stories! Apr 26, 2023

In a live taping, three of our Masters of Disasters talk about how they got into covering catastrophes, why they continue to do it — and how they try to convey hope. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Rong-Gong Lin, L.A. Times wildfire reporter Alex Wigglesworth, and L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia

More reading:

Read Rong-Gong LIn II’s stories here

Read Alex Wigglesworth’s stories here

Read Rosanna Xia’s stories here

Can anything stop distracted driving? Apr 24, 2023

After a decades-long decline in automobile fatalities, numbers began to go up with the dawn of smart phones. Laws banning use of cellphones while driving haven’t stopped the rise — and the dawn of smart cars seems to be making things worse.

Today, we talk about efforts to stop distracted driving — and why they don’t seem to work. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times auto industry reporter Russ Mitchell

More reading:

Highways are getting deadlier, with fatalities up 22%. Our smartphone addiction is a big reason why

‘We are killing people’: How technology has made your car ‘a candy store of distraction’

The DMV said it would investigate Tesla over self-driving claims. Then, crickets

The music genre Korean elders 'trot' to Apr 21, 2023

“Trot” is a Korean music genre that has been around for decades. But in recent years, it has exploded in popularity in Southern California. The biggest fans? Immigrant seniors.

Today, we talk about trot’s history, staying power and role in the Korean American community. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Asian American communities reporter Jeong Park

More reading:

K-Pop isn’t the only hot ticket in Koreatown — how ‘trot’ is captivating immigrants

Koreatown’s elderly immigrants find the lure of the casino bus a blessing and a curse

Club helps older Korean immigrants find their political voice

Is Biden too old to run again? Apr 19, 2023

When Joe Biden won in 2020, he became the oldest president in U.S. history. If he runs again in 2024 and wins, he’ll beat own record. Is that a problem?

Today, we talk about the grumbles from Republicans and Democrats alike over Biden’s age. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Courtney Subramanian

More reading:

Column: Are Joe Biden and Dianne Feinstein too old to do their jobs?

Newsletter: Joe Biden, the bumbling old president who outwitted Republicans

‘What an old politician understands’ — Biden turns the age issue to advantage

Can Dr. Simi cure the Mexican healthcare system? Apr 17, 2023

Farmacias Similares is the largest privately owned chain of pharmacies in Mexico, and has a cute mascot — Dr. Simi — who is beloved across the country. What could possibly be wrong about this scenario? Many things.

Today, we talk about what the rise of Dr. Simi says about Mexico’s broken healthcare system. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Leila Miller

More reading:

Mexico promised healthcare for all. Its failure to deliver made this smiling mascot famous

El Dr. Simi es una estrella de TikTok. También es una muestra de la crisis del sistema de salud de México

Introducing 'Foretold' Apr 14, 2023

"Foretold" is the newest podcast from the L.A. Times, and we're sharing the first episode with you here today.

In the fall of 2019, reporter Faith E. Pinho received a tip from a woman named Paulina Stevens. Paulina claimed she had grown up in an insular Romani community in California, where she was raised to be a wife, mother and fortuneteller — until she decided to break away. That first call unraveled a story spanning multiple continents, hundreds of years, and complex metaphysical realities.

Follow "Foretold" to hear new episodes every Tuesday.

Check out photos and more information about this episode.

Read the episode transcript.

Dive deeper: Our Romani cultural consultant's op-ed describing how her heritage fits into her own life.

An FBI investigation into college basketball gone wrong Apr 12, 2023

An FBI investigation tried to expose malfeasance in the world of NCAA men’s basketball. Instead, the mirror was turned on the agency itself when one of the lead agents abused his position.

Today, you’ll hear the story of how that came to be — and whether the investigation turned up anything. Read the full story here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times sports investigative reporter Nathan Fenno

More reading:

How an FBI agent’s wild Vegas weekend stained an investigation into NCAA basketball corruption

10 charged in college basketball corruption probe

Congressional committee wants answers in college basketball bribery scandal

Who suffers if the U.S. bans TikTok Apr 10, 2023

Democrat and Republican lawmakers are pushing for a U.S. ban on TikTok, arguing the Chinese-owned social media app is a national security risk. But many of its users argue that will severely harm their businesses.

Today, we hear from some of them. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter technology reporter Brian Contreras and L.A. Times business reporter Jaimie Ding

More reading:

For some, TikTok is a path to riches and the American dream. With a ban, it could all disappear

TikTok might get banned after ‘disaster’ testimony. Why do some TikTokers not care?

The Biden administration’s threat to ban TikTok: Here’s what you should know

The mainstreaming of curanderos Apr 07, 2023

For centuries, communities across Latin America have relied on curanderos — healers who rely on indigenous tradition — for their physical and mental health. Will mainstream American health ever embrace it?

Today, we examine the subject. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times utility reporter Karen Garcia

More reading:

Some Latinos don’t trust Western mental health. That’s where curanderos come in

Curandera’s spell may soothe your soul

Bringing medicine from the village into the public eye

Are Biden and Trump border buddies? Apr 05, 2023

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden decried U.S. border policies enacted by the Trump administration as racist. But Biden has not only not rolled some of them back — in some cases, he’s doubled down.

Today, we try to figure out what changed. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times immigration reporters Hamed Aleaziz and Andrea Castillo

More reading:

Top Democrats warn Biden: Don’t restart family detentions

Biden immigration plan could force asylum officers to break law, union warns

Asylum seekers face decision to split up families or wait indefinitely under new border policy

So Donald Trump got indicted... Apr 03, 2023

The indictment of former president Donald Trump has provoked praise and criticism alike. So what’s next? We talk to two of our political wizards to figure it out.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times political columnist Mark Z. Barabak, and L.A. Times national security reporter Sarah D. Wire

More reading:

Full coverage: Trump hush-money probe

Trump indicted in alleged hush-money scheme, becoming first former U.S. president in history to be prosecuted

Column: Scandal after scandal, Trump has defied political physics. Will this time be different?

Can music make people care about climate change? Mar 31, 2023

Lucy Jones, California’s beloved earthquake expert, sits down with environment reporter Rosanna Xia to discuss her new project: using music to inspire people to take action against climate change. Listen to hear Lucy go through her process, her collaborators explain the psychology behind it all, and — of course — a sampling of the compositions. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Rosanna Xia

Guests: Lucy Jones

More reading:

Column One: Can music inspire more people to care about climate change?

Lucy Jones is leaving her job - to shake up more than just earthquakes

The RV homeless encampments of L.A. Mar 29, 2023

Over the last couple of years, RVs in Los Angeles turned from a vehicle for camping to shelter for people who are unhoused. That’s led to multiple complaints — and deaths.

Today, we examine how L.A. got to this point. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith

More reading:

The real and complicated reasons why Los Angeles still has so many RV encampments

Q&A: L.A. Mayor Karen Bass: ‘The city is demanding the tents go away’

Los Angeles lifts moratorium on towing RVs, pledges to move problem campers

How college gymnasts can finally cash in Mar 27, 2023

For over 100 years, college athletes couldn’t make money competing in their sports. A new NCAA rule around name, image and likeness, or NIL, has changed that. The biggest winners? Gymnasts.

Today, we talk to a few current and former gymnasts at UCLA, including Olympians Jordyn Wieber and Jordan Chiles, about how this rule change has affected their lives.Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times college sports and NBA reporter Thuc Nhi Nguyen

More reading:

Once empowered by Title IX, female athletes are now among big winners in new NIL era

‘My medals are my armor.’ Jordan Chiles’ persistence guides her pursuit of greatness

How California paved the way for college athletes to cash in big

A surrender hotline for Russian soldiers Mar 24, 2023

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, Ukrainian military officials have set up a hotline for Russian soldiers to call in and surrender. Is it working to end the war?.

Today, we talk to the people behind it. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times global affairs correspondent Laura King

More reading:

Lots of Russian soldiers want to surrender. Ukraine makes it easier with a high-tech hotline

A soldier’s tale: Russian serviceman’s scathing memoir depicts a senseless war

Read the L.A. Times’ full Ukraine coverage

The flooding in Pajaro, Calif. — and how it all could have been avoided Mar 22, 2023

This year’s historic storms have hit communities of color like Pajaro, Calif., especially hard. It’s a recurring problem that could’ve been avoided entirely.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times investigative reporter Susanne Rust

More reading:

Residents left in flooded California farm town feel ‘abandoned’ as levees fail

Spring storm sets sights on Southern California with strong wind, heavy rain

How a long history of racism and neglect set the stage for Pajaro flooding

A murder mystery, a cover up, and femicide in Mexico Mar 20, 2023

Ariadna López was found murdered on the side of a road in Mexico, one of thousands of women murdered every year in the country. But her death outraged the country like never before.

Today, the problem of femicide in Mexico — and whether Lopez’s death will help change that. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Mexico City bureau chief Patrick J. McDonnell

More reading:

A single mother in Mexico was blamed for her own death. Now a well-connected playboy has been charged

Femicides in Mexico: Little progress on longstanding issue

In Mexico, a grisly killing inflames debate about femicide

Silicon Valley Bank's collapse may affect your interest rate Mar 17, 2023

When inflation is high, the Federal Reserve has historically raised interest rates. But the recent failures of banks like Silicon Valley Bank have sparked worries about the stability of our banking system. Now the feds must weigh whether the banking system could withstand the turmoil that raising interest rates could bring. To get inside the mind of Fed chair Jerome Powell, we look to a previous era of high inflation, the late 1970s and early ‘80s, and the decisions of then Fed chairs Arthur Burns and Paul Volcker.

Today, we talk about what's next. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times economics reporter Don Lee

More reading:

Did deregulation lead to Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse?

Federal Reserve officials sound warnings about higher rates

U.S. inflation eases but stays high, putting Fed in tough spot

The judge who likes to overturn gun laws Mar 15, 2023

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez is known for overturning gun bans. Derided and hailed in equal measures, he’s now presiding over a case with far-reaching consequences.

Today, we talk about his history and impact. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times enterprise reporter Laura J. Nelson

More reading:

The judge upending California’s gun laws: ‘Blessed’ jurist or ‘stone-cold ideologue’?

Thanks to the Supreme Court, California gun cases hinge more on history than modern threats

War on California gun laws revs up after Supreme Court’s ‘right to carry’ decision

Michelle Yeoh can finally be herself: ‘Thank you for seeing me’ Mar 13, 2023

Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh has been a worldwide movie star for decades, known for action-packed roles in films such as “Supercop” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and as a Bond girl in “Tomorrow Never Dies.” But it’s her leading role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” that Yeoh says finally let her show what she’s capable of.

In this episode of “The Envelope,” Yeoh discusses her first impressions of “Everything Everywhere’s” genre-bending script and bold gags. She reflects on her dangerous early-career stunts and how she was treated when she arrived in Hollywood (she makes a gloriously unimpressed sound while recalling that people were “quite stunned” when they realized she could speak English). Yeoh also goes deep on tokenism, aging, and why she had been praying every night to win an Oscar. To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Hosts: Gustavo Arellano and Mark Olsen
Guest: Michelle Yeoh

Our Masters of Disasters take on toxic spills Mar 10, 2023

The recent release of toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, after a train derailment was a reminder of how devastating such environmental events are for poor communities. Can we prevent the next one?

Today, our Masters of Disasters reconvene to talk toxic contamination and cleanup — and why toxic spills will probably never go away. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times environmental reporter Tony Briscoe, L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy Roth, and L.A. Times reporter Erin B. Logan

More reading:

Essential Politics: Shock waves from East Palestine train derailment reaching beyond Ohio

Do you live near the old Exide lead-acid battery smelter? Check your property’s cleanup status

Boiling Point: Fossil fuel ads galore

California's ballot-box fast-food fight Mar 08, 2023

Last year, the California State Legislature approved a bill that aimed to improve wages and conditions for fast-food workers, but the fast-food industry raised millions to oppose it. As petitioners collect signatures, voters allege that they were lied to by petitioners.

Today, we get into the food fight — and California’s murky world of signature-gathering. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Suhauna Hussein

More reading:

‘I feel duped’: Inside the fast-food industry’s push to dismantle a new California labor law

UC Riverside should investigate ‘phony’ economics research center, faculty say

Column: The fast-food industry gears up to kill another pro-worker state law

Academy Nominees aren't Box Office Hits. Do Oscars Still Matter? Mar 06, 2023

The Oscars ceremony is a night to celebrate the best the industry has to offer — but the nominated films are rarely box office hits, and viewership of the awards broadcast has declined. Will we see a rebound?

Today, we talk about the future of the Academy Awards, and who might win Sunday. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times film and television reporter Glenn Whipp

More reading:

Oscar voting has begun. Do we have a winner?

Three Oscar voters share their super-secret ballots

‘Everything Everywhere’ won the guild trifecta. Now it’s the Oscars frontrunner

The California Dream in Nevada Mar 03, 2023

Californians have long moved to Nevada in search of new business and personal opportunities. But a massive business park near Reno is drawing in businesses like never before. Some long-timers aren’t happy.

Today, we visit the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center to learn more. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times national enterprise reporter Noah Bierman

More reading:

Californians are pouring into Nevada. Not everyone is happy about it

‘Don’t move to Texas’: Billboard warns L.A., San Francisco residents about moving to Lone Star State

Nashville’s Southern hospitality — and affordability — beckon Californians

Legal weed, massive worker exploitation Mar 01, 2023

When California voters legalized cannabis, growers vowed a break from decades of worker exploitation in the state’s agricultural industry. A Times investigation found otherwise.

Today, where it all went wrong and what’s being done to stop it. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times investigative reporter Paige St. John

More reading:

Dying for your high: The untold exploitation and misery in America’s weed industry

The reality of legal weed in California: Huge illegal grows, violence, worker exploitation and deaths

Lawmakers want investigation, hearings into ‘Wild West’ of California cannabis and farm work

A new age for mental health in workplaces? Feb 27, 2023

Faced with high levels of worker stress, anxiety and burnout as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies pledged that employee mental health would become a top priority. But actions haven’t always followed promises.

Today, we look into what bosses and employees can do to better the workplace. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times business reporter Samantha Masunaga, and The Times senior producer Denise Guerra

More reading:

Bosses say they care about mental health — can workers trust them?

Use these mental health resources to help yourself — or anyone else

Newsletter: How to boost mental health at your workplace

America’s first Black prima ballerina: Bernice Harrison Feb 24, 2023

When you think of Black ballerinas, names like Misty Copeland or Janet Collins may come to mind. But did you know that a classical ballet dancer from L.A. named Bernice Harrison predated both of them?

Today, the lesser-known story of Harrison’s rise to become the first Black prima ballerina, and the legacy of the First Negro Classical Ballet Company. Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times producer Ashlea Brown
Guest: Kenneth Marcus professor of history at the University of Laverne

More reading:

First Negro Classical Ballet and Bernice Harrison

L.A. Times Today: In ‘Kylie,’ a Black ballerina shares her experience in the ballet community

Misty Copeland, Calvin Royal III and the rarity of a black couple dancing lead roles

The war against Drag Queen Story Hour Feb 22, 2023

Drag performers are more visible than ever after decades in the underground, but will recent protests, threats of violence, and restrictive laws set them back?

Today, we dive into the origins of the backlash and how drag performers are reacting to it. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times national correspondent Jaweed Kaleem

More reading:

Drag Queen Story Hour disrupted by men shouting slurs and threats at Bay Area library

Children’s drag queen event at Costa Mesa church draws protest

Arkansas legislative panel advances bill to restrict drag performances

One year into the Russia-Ukraine war Feb 20, 2023

The first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is this month. L.A. Times global affairs correspondent Laura King has visited Ukraine at four key moments since the war started: Russia’s spring invasion, Ukraine’s summertime counteroffensive, Russia’s attack on civilians and infrastructure in the fall, and during the winter fatigue.

Today, she tells us about what she has seen and what has changed. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times global affairs correspondent Laura King

More reading:

Lviv was once a safe haven for Ukrainians fleeing the war. Now it’s suffering too

The weaponization of winter: Ukraine aims to stop Russia from regrouping as temperatures drop

In Ukraine’s war-shrouded capital, a play about a murderous dictator rings true

Dianne Feinstein calls it a career Feb 17, 2023

California U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced this week she will not run for reelection next year, ending a legendary career that saw her go from San Francisco City Hall to Capitol Hill. With her upcoming retirement, there’s much speculation as to who will replace her.

Today, we look back at the career of the storied politician and look ahead as to who’ll be running for Feinstein’s seat. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times political columnist Mark Z. Barabak

More reading:

Sen. Feinstein makes it official: She will retire at the end of her current term

Dianne Feinstein retires: Looking back on tragedy, triumph and her contentious perseverance

Column: Dianne Feinstein is one of California’s greats. Let’s remember her that way

Why hotel rooms for L.A.'s homeless sit empty Feb 15, 2023

The historic Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles reopened in 2021 with a commitment to make it easy for low-income and unhoused people to occupy its rooms. So why have so few people taken advantage of this offer?

Today, we examine why this well-intentioned and funded solution to L.A.'s homelessness crisis is having trouble fulfilling its original vision. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Fast Break reporter Jaimie Ding

More reading:

A year after opening 600 rooms to L.A.’s unhoused, the Cecil Hotel is still mostly empty. Here’s why

LA Times Today: A year after opening 600 rooms to L.A.’s unhoused, the Cecil Hotel is still mostly empty

Once a den of prostitution and drugs, the Cecil Hotel in downtown L.A. is set to undergo a $100-million renovation

Turkey's earthquake, California's "Big One" Feb 13, 2023

An earthquake as devastating as the one that hit Turkey and Syria this month has been forecast to hit Southern California for decades. What can residents and governments do to prepare?.

Today, our Masters of Disasters talk to us about how to prepare. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Ron-Gong Lin II, and L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia

More reading:

California faces threat from the type of back-to-back mega-earthquakes that devastated Turkey

A deadly building flaw common in California brings destruction and misery to Turkey, Syria

Subscribe to “Unshaken,” the L.A. Times’ earthquake newsletter

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 6: The End Feb 10, 2023

The Colorado River is supposed to end at the Gulf of California, but hasn’t done so for decades. A joint effort between the United States and Mexico seeks to change that.

Today, we travel to the Colorado River Delta to see what’s happening. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times water reporter Ian James

More reading:

A pulse of water revives the dry Colorado River Delta

The river’s end: Amid Colorado water cuts, Mexico seeks to restore its lost oasis

Listen to our special Colorado River series here

Do social-media child stars "work"? Feb 08, 2023

Teenager Piper Rockelle and her friends created a multimillion-dollar YouTube empire. A lawsuit threatens it, and brings up questions about whether what young influencers do for a living constitutes “work.”

Today, we examine the history of child labor laws in California, and what might happen in this digital age. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times senior entertainment reporter Amy Kaufman, and L.A. Times arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt

More reading:

Inside the blockbuster lawsuit threatening one teen YouTube star’s multimillion-dollar empire

Column: Social media platforms must stop the exploitation of child performers. Now

Who’s protecting social media’s child stars? Inside the lawsuit against one YouTuber’s empire

A Super Bowl with two Black quarterbacks Feb 06, 2023

For decades, NFL teams actively discouraged Black players from playing quarterback, the sport’s marquee position.

Today, we go through this shameful history — and celebrate this year’s historic Super Bowl, which features two Black starting quarterbacks for the first time. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times opinion columnist LZ Granderson

More reading:

Column: The NFL should stop running from its racial history

No one should forget about Doug Williams

The Big Book Of Black Quarterbacks

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 5: The Valley Feb 03, 2023

California’s Imperial Valley has some of the lowest rainfall in the state, yet uses the largest allotment of Colorado River water. Why is such an arid part of the state an agricultural powerhouse?

Today, we look into how the region secured its rights. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times water reporter Ian James

More reading:

In California’s Imperial Valley, farmers brace for a future with less Colorado River water

Colorado River in Crisis: A Times series on the Southwest’s shrinking water lifeline

California is isolated and alone in battle over Colorado River water cuts

What it means to be a Black cowboy Feb 01, 2023

Black people have been part of the American West for centuries. But mainstream cowboy culture long downplayed their contributions, even as they exist in the present day.

Today, we hear from some of them. Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times national reporter Tyrone Beason

More reading:

Black Californians have long celebrated cowboy culture. We’re just catching up

A proud group of Black Californians keep the traditions of the Old West and cowboy culture alive.

Excerpt: Cowboys in Compton find hope and healing on horseback

What’s up with eggs? Jan 30, 2023

All across California, people are asking the same question: Why are eggs so expensive?

Californians walk into grocery stores only to find them sold out, or that they’re going for $7 or more a dozen. Thanks to inflation, everything is more expensive right now. But when it comes to eggs, there’s more to the story.

Today, how a history of California policy and a global bird flu scrambled the economics of a food staple. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times metro reporter Sonja Sharp

More reading:

$7 a dozen? Why California eggs are so expensive — and increasingly hard to find

Watch: California eggs are becoming expensive, and increasingly hard to find

Op-Ed: Why does California have an egg shortage?

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 4: The Tribe Jan 27, 2023

For over a century, Native American tribes along the Colorado River have seen other entities take water that had nourished them since time immemorial. With the depletion of this vital source for the American West, Indigenous leaders see an opening to right a historical wrong.

Today, we check in on one tribe doing just that. Read the full transcript here.

Host: The Times senior producer Kasia Broussalian

Guest: L.A. Times water reporter Ian James

More reading:

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 1: A Dying River

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 2: The Source

Inside the water crisis: A journey across the Colorado River Basin

3 men of color, 3 LAPD encounters. 3 deaths Jan 25, 2023

In a span of 25 hours, three men of color died after encounters with Los Angeles police officers. Could a change in tactics long asked for by activists have prevented the deaths?

Today, we talk about the incidents, the aftermath — and what’s next. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times investigative crime reporter Richard Winton and L.A. Times metro columnist Erika D. Smith

More reading:

Column: MLK had a dream about ending police brutality. In L.A., we’re clearly still dreaming

LAPD’s repeated tasing of teacher who died appears excessive, experts say

Amid concerns over three deaths, LAPD releases video

A massacre in Monterey Park Jan 23, 2023

A gunman shot and killed 10 people just after a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, California. This attack, one of California's worst mass shootings in recent memory, is sparking concerns about public safety and conversations about anti-Asian hate — and renewing calls for gun control. Read the full transcript here.
Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Asian American communities reporter Jeong Park

More reading:

Authorities identify 72-year-old man as suspected gunman in Lunar New Year mass shooting

Terror at Monterey Park dance studio: What we know about Lunar New Year mass shooting

Lunar New Year shooting: A grim moment in Monterey Park, America’s first suburban Chinatown

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 3: The Dam Jan 20, 2023

The main way the American West harvests the Colorado River for its water use is by dams that create reservoirs, which are quickly drying up because of climate change. Can knocking some dams down help?

Today, in our continuing series on the Colorado River, we go to Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell to talk to some people who think so. Read the full transcript here.

Host: “The Times” senior producer Denise Guerra

Guests: L.A. Times water reporter Ian James

More listening:

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 1: A Dying River

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 2: The Source

Colorado River in Crisis homepage

How the California GOP lost its national sway Jan 18, 2023

For decades, Republicans across the country looked to California for conservative stars and ideas even as the GOP lost its way in the state. Not anymore.

Today, we talk about how how Kevin McCarthy’s tortuous path to become Speaker of the House was yet another loud death rattle for the California GOP. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times politics columnist Mark Z. Barabak

More reading:

Column: Kevin McCarthy ‘won’ the House speakership. Now the country will pay the price

Listen to “The Battle of 187”

Today’s GOP could snub even Reagan

Dance raves in, dissent out as Saudi Arabia's crown prince dictates new social order Jan 16, 2023

Something unexpected is going on in traditionally conservative Saudi Arabia.

Over the last few years, the kingdom has been announcing a loosening of social restrictions at a surprising rate. Movie theaters are reopening, new professional opportunities for women are popping up and the country is hosting Western-style music festivals.

It’s all part of a plan by the country’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who says he wants to dramatically transform his country.

Today, how the prince’s push comes with a price:While dancing in Saudi Arabia might be in these days, political dissent is still most definitely out. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Middle East bureau chief Nabih Bulos

More reading:

Dancing is in, dissent is out as Saudi Arabia’s crown prince transforms his country

Saudi Arabia is giving itself an extreme makeover with ‘giga-projects.’ Will it work?

Saudis sentence U.S. citizen to 16 years over tweets

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 2: The Source Jan 13, 2023

The Colorado River begins in the Rocky Mountain snowpack, which provides the water that starts off the river on its epic journey. But as the American West gets hotter, that snowpack keeps getting smaller and smaller.

Today, the second in our six-part special on the future of this vital waterway. New episodes will publish every Friday through Feb. 10. Follow the project here. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times water reporter Ian James and L.A. Times video journalist Albert Lee

More reading:

Our full Colorado River series

Listen to the first episode in this series, “Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 1: A Dying River”

Video: The Colorado River is drying up. Climate change and drought have taken a major toll.

California's stormy weather, explained Jan 11, 2023

This month’s record-setting rain and snow across California also comes with terms many of us know but can’t explain. Today, we do that with our Masters of Disasters. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Ron Lin, L.A. Times Fast Break disasters reporter Hayley Smith, and L.A. Times water reporter Ian James

More reading:

California snowpack is far above average amid January storms, but a lot more is needed

Deadly results as dramatic climate whiplash causes California’s aging levees to fail

California storm death toll reaches 17 as more rain, winds arrive. Damage could top $1 billion

Can the Golden Globes come back? Jan 09, 2023

The Golden Globes is going to air this week on NBC after a year-long hiatus in the wake of a scandal over its parent company, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Can its comeback stick? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Company Town reporter Stacy Perman, and L.A. Times film business reporter Josh Rottenberg

More reading:

‘It took a crisis in order to make changes,’ says new Golden Globes owner

Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. approves sale of Golden Globes assets to Todd Boehly

Golden Globes voters in tumult: Members accuse Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. of self-dealing, ethical lapses

Colorado River in Crisis, Pt. 1: A Dying River Jan 06, 2023

The Colorado River is the water lifeline for tens of millions of people across the American Southwest, which couldn’t have developed the way it is today without it. But all the damming and diversion done to the Colorado has put it at a tipping point where a future with no water is no longer just fantasy but perilously possible.

Today, “The Times” kicks off “a six-part special on the future of this vital waterway. New episodes will publish every Friday through Feb. 10. Follow the project here. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times water reporter Ian James

More reading:

Colorado River in Crisis

They sounded alarms about a coming Colorado River crisis. But warnings went unheeded

Video: Desert suburbia is growing. But the Colorado River, and Arizona’s groundwater, cannot keep up.

California's fight with affirmative action Jan 04, 2023

The Supreme Court appears ready to abolish affirmative action later this year. The case seeking to declare it unconstitutional has schools that consider race in admissions worried about how they can continue to build diversity among their students without affirmative action.

Here in California, though, we already know what happens when programs like affirmative action are banned. In 1996, voters passed a first ballot initiative in the country to ban the consideration of race or gender and public education.

Today, how the University of California system has dealt with a 25-year ban on affirmative action. And what we can learn if a national ban does happen. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Teresa Watanabe

More reading:

California banned affirmative action in 1996. Inside the UC struggle for diversity

Are Asian American college applicants at a disadvantage? Supreme Court debate stirs fear

Column: Affirmative action challenges aren’t about ending discrimination. Their goal is white supremacy

Some audio in this episode is courtesy of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library.

What losing Nancy Pelosi as a leader means for Dems Jan 02, 2023

A new Republican-led House of Representatives convenes tomorrow, and after decades as a Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi is stepping away from the helm. Undoubtedly, her strength was in unifying her caucus — something that Kevin McCarthy, the G.O.P frontrunner for the speakership, has already struggled to do. Today, we look back on Pelosi's career — and what could be ahead for House leadership. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Justice Department reporter Sarah D. Wire

More reading:

The end of a political era: Nancy Pelosi’s leadership legacy in Washington

Column: Nancy Pelosi’s indelible mark

Column: ‘There’s this very toxic energy circulating.’ Alexandra Pelosi on her mom, dad and a new documentary

2022 in culture: Bad Bunny, the Slap and more Dec 30, 2022

This year, Beyonce blessed fans with her album, “Renaissance,” the Daniels — Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert — released the surreal trip of a movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and Bad Bunny released banger after banger after banger.

And those were just some of the brightest cultural moments that we couldn’t stop talking about. 2022 had its dark side, too — who could forget Will Smith’s slap or the racist rants of Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West?

Today, we review both the highs and lows of Hollywood, music, culture and more. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times pop music critic Mikael Wood, film and television critic Glenn Whipp, music reporter Suzy Exposito
and film business reporter Ryan Faughnder

More reading:

For global phenomenon Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico remains his playground, battleground and muse

The top 10 Hollywood fiascoes that defined 2022 for the entertainment business

Review: Beyoncé's ‘Renaissance’ is a landmark expression of Black joy (and you can dance to it)

What happens to ‘Emancipation’ after the slap?

The best and worst in 2022 politics Dec 28, 2022

Ukraine, abortion, midterms, racist tape leaks — 2022 was a lot, politically. We gather our newsroom experts to break down the year. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times U.S. Supreme Court David G. Savage, California politics columnist Mark Barabak, and L.A. city politics reporter Julia Wick

More reading:

News Analysis: Supreme Court likes separation of powers, but not of church and state

Hate grows, L.A. politics go berserk and Gen Z saves democracy: Columnists dissect 2022

L.A. on the Record: KDL, absurdist theater and a trick play

The good and bad of natural disasters in 2022 Dec 26, 2022

This year, we saw a pandemic that just won’t quit, a face-melting heatwave and an underwater volcano eruption that wreaked all kinds of havoc. 2022 brought with it plenty of doom and gloom when it comes to natural disasters. But we also saw an effective new earthquake early warning system, a toilet sink that’s great at reducing water and energy use and more good news for our changing climate.

Today, our Masters of Disasters kick off a week of looking back the biggest wins and fails of 2022 by talking about the year’s most memorable disasters. But it’s not all bad: the scribes of scary also offer up some hope as we enter 2023. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Ron Lin, L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia and L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy Roth

More reading:

Massive volcano eruption in Tonga could wind up warming the Earth

How washing my hands with ‘toilet water’ cut my water bills in half

L.A. County coronavirus threat eases for now, but a second wave after Christmas possible

Why NASA’s new mission will study Earth’s water from space

Dr. Fauci's tips for the tripledemic Dec 23, 2022

Dr. Anthony Fauci is one of the most prominent public health officials in history due to his work during the HIV/AIDS crisis and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He’s about to step down from his long-held roles as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor, but before he goes, we wanted to get some last bits of advice about how to stay safe this holiday season and beyond.

Today, he joins us to reflect on the lessons learned in his career, the future of public health, and high school memories of basketball and Catholic saints.

Plus, stick around after the interview for a moving tribute to P-22. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci

More reading:

Fauci’s warning to America: ‘We’re living in a progressively anti-science era and that’s a very dangerous thing’

Review: ‘Fauci’ illuminates even as it flatters ‘America’s doctor’

Fauci: ‘There’s no way’ the coronavirus was made with U.S. research funds. Here’s why

The crypto crash was inescapable Dec 21, 2022

Cryptocurrency started the year strong. But as 2022 ends, what was supposed to be a revolutionary way to buy, save and invest has collapsed. The price of nearly every cryptocurrency has plunged. Multiple businesses built specifically around them have cratered.

Now, members of Congress are calling for more stringent regulations around crypto. But would regulations change cryptocurrency so much that it would essentially stop being crypto? Today, the over-talked-about, often under-understood world of crypto. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Michael Hiltzik

More reading:

Column: Crypto tycoon Sam Bankman-Fried didn’t lose a $16-billion fortune. His ‘fortune’ was never real

Column: Shame, suicide attempts, ‘financial death’ — the devastating toll of a crypto firm’s failure

Column: Thinking of putting crypto in your 401(k)? Think twice

Housing the unhoused, voucher edition Dec 19, 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration authorized over a billion dollars in housing vouchers to help people stay off the streets. The program had problems, but one city — San Diego — succeeded in a big way.

Today, we find out how they did it. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Former L.A. Times fellow Anumita Kaur

More reading:

How San Diego achieved surprising success housing homeless people

How San Francisco fell behind on housing its homeless population

Homeless people wait as Los Angeles lets thousands of federal housing vouchers go unused

A culture war over electric cars? Dec 16, 2022

The Biden administration is pushing electric vehicles as the future. So are major auto makers. But how will that play out in red states? We travel to small-town Indiana to find out.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times White House reporter Noah Bierman

More reading: Can California’s electric-vehicle push overcome the red-state backlash?

Majority of voters favor gasoline-car phaseout. But all-electric goal faces tough opposition

California bans sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035. Now the real work begins

Will Swifties take down Ticketmaster? Dec 14, 2022

After Ticketmaster botched sales for Taylor Swift’s upcoming concert tour, her die-hard fans, known as Swifties, did more than just whine on social media. They took political action, calling their representatives in Congress and flagging their concerns to other lawmakers across the country. Some Swifties even filed a lawsuit.

This is far from the first time Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, have been accused of unfairly monopolizing the ticket market. And after another debacle last week that left Bad Bunny fans stranded outside his sold-out concert in Mexico City, it’s clear it won’t be the last time either.

Today, we look at whether the latest backlash is big enough to finally break Ticketmaster’s stranglehold on the live music market.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter August Brown and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

More reading:

More bad news for Swifties: Ticketmaster cancels Friday on-sale for Taylor’s Eras tour

You better lawyer up, Ticketmaster: Taylor Swift fans file Eras Tour lawsuit

Essential Politics: Will Taylor Swift end Ticketmaster’s dominance?

The nightmare that is identity theft Dec 12, 2022

Jessica Roy was hanging with friends at a piano bar when her wallet was stolen — and became a victim of identity theft. Roy filed the necessary reports and thought she’d be able to handle everything pretty quickly. That didn’t happen.

Today, she shares her ordeal and explains why fixing identity theft is a never-ending nightmare and why recovering from it is so much harder than you think.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Assistant Utility Journalism team editor Jessica Roy

More reading:

My wallet was stolen at a bar. Then my identity theft nightmare began

Are you the victim of identity theft? Here’s what to do

Is identity theft protection worth it? Here’s what you should know

Keke Palmer’s Hollywood reality — and dreams Dec 09, 2022

Keke Palmer has already racked up two decades in show business. She acts, sings, hosts a TV show and is the face of numerous memes — and she has big plans for more.
Fresh off hosting "SNL" and starring in “Nope,” Palmer recently sat down with our sister podcast "The Envelope." She shares what it was like to work with Jordan Peele on his blockbuster sci-fi thriller, how she felt about being her family’s breadwinner during her childhood and the advice Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett gave her on the set of “Akeelah and the Bee.” Read the full transcript here.

Hosts: Mark Olsen and Yvonne Villarreal

Guests: Keke Palmer

More reading:
Surprise! Keke Palmer announces pregnancy and SZA reveals album release date on ‘SNL’

Is there anything better than Keke Palmer on a press tour? Nope

Review: A superb Keke Palmer keeps underdeveloped ‘Alice’ mostly on track

The grad student strike at UC schools Dec 07, 2022

The workload for graduate students, researchers and assistants who take on-campus jobs for their discipline is notoriously underpaid and endless. That’s why 48,000 of those workers throughout the University of California system have gone on strike, demanding better pay and conditions. The strike is happening even as finals loom.

Today, we examine the background and what’s next. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times education reporter Teresa Watanabe

More reading:

Nearly 48,000 UC graduate students poised to shut down many classes, labs and research with strike

UC postdoctoral scholars and researchers reach tentative deal but strike continues

Chaos over grades, finals and ongoing classes erupts as UC strike continues

Has zero-COVID checkmated China's Xi? Dec 05, 2022

Mainland China is roiled by protests, the size of which have not been seen in a generation. People are calling for an end to the government’s strict “zero-COVID” restrictions. The moment has also brought rare public criticism of its architect, President Xi Jinping. Just months ago, he secured an unprecedented third term, but now is as vulnerable as he’s ever been.

Today, we examine whether the zero-COVID policy could be Xi’s downfall. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times China correspondent Stephanie Yang

More reading:

‘Zero COVID’ is roiling China. But ending the policy may cause a massive health disaster

Protests over China’s strict COVID-19 controls spread across the country

Dreams of a Red Emperor: The relentless rise of Xi Jinping

Why the U.S. clamps down on rail strikes Dec 02, 2022

This week, Congress passed a bill that effectively imposed an agreement between rail workers and their companies and prohibited a strike. Politicians feared that any work stoppage would cripple the U.S. economy for the holidays, costing the country billions of dollars.

Today, we talk about the unique, violent history of rail workers trying to fight for better union contracts. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: University of Rhode Island history professor Erik Loomis

More reading:

Senate moves to avert rail strike amid dire warnings

Biden calls on Congress to head off potential rail strike

Big rail unions split on contract deal with railroads, raising possibility of a strike

The megaflood, next time in California Nov 30, 2022

Few people associate urban and suburban Southern California with floods anymore, mostly because many of its rivers were dammed up or transformed into concrete gulches long ago. But scientists say a megaflood could hit the entire state and would submerge cities, hitting communities of color particularly hard.

The state is nowhere near prepared for that. Today, our Masters of Disasters talk about this upcoming flood, what it could mean for a rising sea and more. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake-COVID reporter Ron Lin, L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia, and L.A. Times environmental reporter Louis Sahagún

More reading:

Major flood would hit Los Angeles Black communities disproportionately hard, study finds

Risk of catastrophic California ‘megaflood’ has doubled due to global warming, researchers say

More than 400 toxic sites in California are at risk of flooding from sea level rise

A decade of downers with DACA Nov 28, 2022

For the last decade, about 800,000 individuals who came to the United States as children but have no legal status have been protected from deportation by a program commonly referred to as DACA. It has allowed them to legally work, apply for driver's licenses and even travel abroad. But the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to strike DACA down, leaving the individuals enrolled with no clear step on how to legalize their status.Today, we hear from DACA recipients who aren't going to wait to find out and have moved from the U.S.. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times immigration reporter Andrea Castillo

More reading: Why these DACA recipients traded living in the U.S. for other countries

‘I can’t keep fighting the system’: DACA recipients are leaving the U.S., disheartened by years of instability

On the 10th anniversary of DACA, Janet Napolitano reflects on program she helped create

Mexico's unique, binational soccer fans Nov 25, 2022

Right now, the eyes of much of the world is on the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as 32 teams fight for national pride. One team is Mexico, whose unique fanbase sets it apart from the world. With loyalties to both Mexico and the United States, it’s a representation of resilience, controversy and so much more.

Today, we examine the phenomenon. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Univisión News anchor León Krauze

More reading:

Watch “Al Grito de Guerra”

Gracias Fútbol: Reliving our favorite World Cup memories

This soccer-mad L.A. Latina has attended seven World Cups. Qatar will make it eight

Your future meal might be grasshoppers Nov 23, 2022

Grasshopper hunting has been going on in Mexico for thousands of years, but lately eating them has gained wider acceptance. Consumption of the jumpy little protein-packed insects is booming, and more and more restaurants are putting them on the menu ... and not just in Mexico.

Today, chapulines, the world of harvesting and eating grasshoppers in Mexico. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Latin America correspondent Leila Miller

More reading:

Are grasshoppers as delicious as ham? Mexico’s insect hunters would like you to find out

Review: ‘Bugs’ documentary explores insect-eating as a cure for world hunger

This pop-up dinner menu is full of bugs. Yes, those kinds of bugs

Hospice for the homeless Nov 21, 2022

The Inn Between in Salt Lake City offers a revolutionary program: hospice care for homeless individuals. We visit to see what resistance they have met — and what hope they've inspired.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times California politics reporter Mackenzie Mays

More reading:

The place where homeless people come to die with dignity

Column: He was homeless and in hospice. His recovery is a lesson in what it takes to save a life

Column: Stalked by death, they are gathered off the streets and cared for by an army of angels

How ham radio can save Taiwan — and the world Nov 18, 2022

Taiwan has more than 25,000 enthusiasts of ham radio, the antiquated communication technology that is increasingly being used in war zones when all other communications is down. If China declares war on Taiwan, then these ham radio enthusiasts could be crucial for civilians and officials alike — and can offer lessons for the rest of us.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times China correspondent Stephanie Yang

More reading:

If China declares war, these ham radio enthusiasts could be crucial

Living in space can get lonely. What helps? Talking to random people over ham radio

China on Taiwan: ‘External interference’ won’t be tolerated

When the celebrity bigot is a Black man Nov 16, 2022

Right now, there’s a lot of attention being paid to Black male celebrities and their controversial statements and actions. Dave Chapelle has been criticized for his comments about trans people. Artist Ye (formerly Kanye West) and star NBA player Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets are under fire for pushing antisemitic sentiments.

It’s something we’ve seen before — but is there a double standard when the bigot is Black? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnist LZ Granderson

More reading:

Column: Kanye West’s life and art are one. You don’t have to keep watching

Kyrie Irving suspended by Brooklyn Nets for failure to disavow antisemitism

Column: What I want Dave Chappelle to understand about the color of queerness

How to end political violence Nov 14, 2022

Political violence has been a part of this country since its founding. But right now, many people feel it’s a disturbing trend on a sharp and dangerous upswing. Such acts of political violence started ramping up long before the midterm elections. And the people who study it are worried.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times national politics reporter Melanie Mason

More reading:

‘We are a tinderbox’: Political violence is ramping up, experts warn

Read our full coverage of the violent attack on Paul Pelosi

Rep. Steve Scalise and three others shot on a Virginia baseball field in apparent act of political violence

The slow trickle of election day Nov 11, 2022

Election day has come and gone... kinda. Many races, both local and national, are still too close to call. And while the Republican Party is expected to take Congress, it’s not by the margin many had predicted. So what does all this mean for both parties? And what about 2024?

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times politics reporter Seema Mehta and L.A. Times L.A. mayoral race reporter Julia Wick

More reading:

Tapping into ‘a simmering rage’: Democrats’ emphasis on abortion stopped GOP gains

Democrats’ risky bet on GOP election deniers paid off. Should they do it again?

Why it could take weeks to get final L.A. election results. ‘We aren’t sitting on ballots’

Can Kevin McCarthy control Congress? Nov 09, 2022

The results of the midterm elections are still being tabulated, but it looks like California Congressman Kevin McCarthy is likely to be the next speaker of the House if the Republican Party gains control. McCarthy has tied himself to former President Trump and all that comes with that affiliation, but what does the Bakersfield Republican really stand for, and how is he most likely to wield his new power?

Today, as part of our coverage of the 2022 midterms, what the early election results say about the power shift in Congress, the election in 2024, and the Republican leader at the center of it all.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times senior writer Jeffrey Fleishman

More reading:

Ambition keeps him loyal to Donald Trump. But what does Kevin McCarthy stand for?

2022 U.S. midterm elections: Live results

Democrats defy history with control of Congress still up for grabs

The Gen Z vote battle Nov 07, 2022

Tuesday’s midterms are among the most consequential elections in decades. As Democrats and Republicans fight for control, there’s one group with millions of eligible voters that both parties desperately want: Generation Z.

Pundits point out that this generation is on track to be better educated, more ethnically diverse and more liberal than others. That would seem to bode well for the Democratic party and spell doom for the Republicans. But both parties wonder: Will Gen Z actually go out and vote?

Read the full transcript here.
Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times staff writer Arit John

More reading:

Will young voters save Democrats in the midterm elections?

Gen Z students want better mental healthcare access on campus

Is it apathy or anxiety? What’s keeping some young Californians from voting

Uh-oh for U.K.'s new P.M. Nov 04, 2022

Rishi Sunak made history last month as the first nonwhite person to become prime minister of the United Kingdom. But he inherits a country, a party and people in chaos. Sunak is the third prime minister in seven weeks for the U.K, as it grapples with economic problems and an identity crisis. Can a new face stop the decline?

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Jaweed Kaleem

More reading:

Rishi Sunak to be Britain’s new prime minister, the first person of color in the role

With another prime minister gone, what’s next for an already diminished Britain?

It’s a good time to be an American in Britain, as the pound declines in value

An audio ofrenda for Día de los Muertos Nov 02, 2022

On Día de los Muertos, people across Mexico and the United States set up altars to remember loved ones who have died. But new traditions arise every year to commemorate the holiday: online tributes, public festivals and more.

In that spirit, we have decided to turn this episode into an audio ofrenda — a place to let listeners remember their loved ones. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Latino affairs editor Fidel Martinez, and our listeners

More reading:

Latinx Files: Why we built a Día de los Muertos digital altar

Día de los Muertos: How we remember our dearly departed

For this Oaxacan merchant, marigolds mean more than ever this Día de los Muertos

Dems try abortion-rights pitch with Latinos Oct 31, 2022

The overturning of Roe vs. Wade this summer offered Democrats a new playbook for the Nov. 8 midterm elections when it comes to winning the Latino vote; promise to protect abortion rights. It’s a move that goes against the long-held assumption that Latinos skew socially conservative and hold antiabortion views rooted in their religious beliefs.

Today, as part of our ongoing coverage of the midterm elections; how a race in New Mexico gives us a window into the gamble that access to abortions can help Democrats win over Latinos. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times national political correspondent Melanie Mason

More reading:

Democrats are trying out a new pitch with Latino voters, one centered on abortion rights

Your guide to the 2022 California midterm election

Will young voters save Democrats in the midterm elections?

Our Masters of Disasters know it's windy Oct 28, 2022

Who doesn’t like a nice breeze? A gorgeous zephyr? But the bad winds: They’re bad. And in Southern California right now, we’re going through some of the most notorious, bad winds of them all: the Santa Anas.

Today, our Masters of Disasters talk about the howling devil winds in honor of the spooky season. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Ron Lin, L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia, and L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy Roth

More reading:

No emergency outages after Santa Ana winds prompted Southern California fire danger warnings

Why it’s been so warm and windy in Southern California this winter

Diablo winds can feed Northern California fires. Here’s how they form

The scandal at LA City Hall — again Oct 26, 2022

It was the audio leak that created a political earthquake in Los Angeles.

Soon after the racist comments recorded during a private conversation among three council members and a labor leader leaked to the public, the fallout began. There’ve been resignations, rowdy protests at City Hall and more. The controversy has created a political opening that might fundamentally change the makeup of the City Council by pushing it even further to the left.

With midterms just two weeks away, today we talk about what’s next at L.A. City Hall. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporters Julia Wick and David Zahniser

More reading:

Racist audio leak could push L.A. City Hall further left in Nov. 8 election

Amid noisy protest, the L.A. City Council — listening via earbuds — conducts its business

Krekorian says he’ll work to restore trust in City Hall as L.A. City Council president

The fight over Squaw Valley's name Oct 24, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom signeda new law last month to remove the word ‘Squaw’ from nearly 100 landmarks and place names across California. Native Americans and others are celebrating the new law because they find the term 'Squaw' offensive. But in Squaw Valley, an unincorporated area outside of Fresno, some residents want to keep the name. And Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig is siding with them. Read the transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Lila Seidman

More reading: New law will remove the word ‘squaw’ from California place names

Native Americans want to ditch the name Squaw Valley. A county supervisor says context matters

Retiring its racist name, historic Squaw Valley resort will become Palisades Tahoe

Coyotes go urban; humans freak out Oct 21, 2022

In June, at a Manhattan Beach City Council meeting, residents lined up to share their concerns about a predator that roams their streets, terrorizing them and killing their pets: coyotes. They’re an important part of the American West, but suburbanites are now advocating for their wholesale extermination. But is there another option, a way to co-exist peacefully?

Today, we examine this controversy.

How Los Angeles got so overcrowded Oct 19, 2022

Los Angeles for decades advertised itself as an American Eden. But it ignored repeated warnings about the consequences of overcrowding on the working class. Now, when the situation is worse than ever, calls to fix it continue to go nowhere.

Today, we talk about an L.A. Times analysis that found that more people are squeezing into fewer rooms in L.A. than any other large county in America. And it’s been a disaster for public health, even before COVID-19 began to spread. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times housing reporter Liam Dillon and features reporter Brittny Mejia

More reading:

Packed In: Overcrowded housing in Los Angeles has brought death by design

L.A.’s love of sprawl made it America’s most overcrowded place. The poor pay a deadly price

One family’s desperate act to escape overcrowding

Late-night TV fights for its life, again Oct 17, 2022

For decades, late night television talk shows were where America snuggled up together and we laughed. The hosts were household names, but also very male and white. Things diversified a bit last decade with hosts like Trevor Noah and Samantha Bee. But now Bee’s show is gone and Noah is on his way out.

Today, what’s next for late-night television? It’s a uniquely American genre whose obituary has been written again and again, yet somehow continues to stumble along. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times television critic Lorraine Ali

More reading:

Trevor Noah’s exit won’t just hurt ‘The Daily Show.’ It’ll hurt all of late night

‘Full Frontal With Samantha Bee’ is the latest casualty in late-night TV’s reshuffle

After a major cast shake-up, ‘SNL’ confronts its weaknesses — but can’t overcome them

Sheriff Villanueva's unlikely rise to power Oct 15, 2022

There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to Alex Villanueva’s path to becoming the top cop in Los Angeles County. And that’s exactly what LAist Studios and KPCC do in a new five-part podcast series hosted by Frank Stoltze. Today, we play episode 1 of “Imperfect Paradise: Sheriff.”

The show begins with a scene of a very strange press conference: Villanueva is threatening to open a criminal investigation into L.A. Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian and Stoltze questions the sheriff about it. From there, Stoltze reflects on his time covering policing in L.A. County and explains how Villanueva is the product of a department that has been riddled with scandals for decades: racial profiling, jail violence and deputy gangs.

Host: Frank Stoltze

More reading:

Your guide to the L.A. County sheriff election: Alex Villanueva vs. Robert Luna

Dozens of Sheriff Villanueva’s donors received permits to carry guns in public

Column: L.A. County’s sheriff leans on his Latino identity. Does he exemplify our worst traits?

Dedicated to Art Laboe Oct 14, 2022

Art Laboe’s voice filled Southern California airwaves for more than 70 years. But beyond being a beloved disc jockey whose show was eventually broadcast across the nation, Laboe spread a radical message of racial unity way before such messages became mainstream.

The prolific “Oldies but Goodies” radio legend died Oct. 7 of pneumonia. His death comes at a time when we need his message of tolerance more than ever. So today, a tribute to Art Laboe. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: TimesOC feature writer Gabriel San Román

More reading:

L.A.’s radio community pays tribute to Art Laboe, a legend and mentor: ‘End of an era’

Column: I’m playing an Art Laboe album to counteract the noxious vibe from L.A. City Hall

Art Laboe dies; his ‘Oldies but Goodies’ show ruled the L.A. airwaves

The leaked tape that upended L.A. politics Oct 12, 2022

This week, the Los Angeles City Council made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. In a closed-door meeting, City Council President Nury Martinez made racist and disparaging remarks about colleagues to fellow council members, Kevin de León, Gil Cedillo and a well known labor leader.

The subsequent fallout has upended L.A. politics just before a crucial mayoral election. So now what? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Benjamin Oreskes

More reading:

L.A. council members made racist comments in leaked audio. Read our full coverage

Breaking down crucial moments in the racist leaked recording of L.A. councilmembers

The fall of Nury Martinez: A blunt talker undone by her words

Gavin Newsom versus the world Oct 10, 2022

It’s hard to avoid Gov. Gavin Newsom these days, even if you don’t live in California. He frequently attacks other governors, lobs daggers at members of his own Democratic Party, and expounds on the “California way” when talking about everything from abortion access to combating climate change and more. All this action on the national stage has people asking, is Newsom low-key testing the waters for a presidential run in 2024? And if not, what’s his endgame? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnist Mark Barabak

More reading:

Column: Is Gavin Newsom running for president? Or is he just desperate for attention?

Column: If Newsom sees himself as president, he should move into position to run. That’s what he’s doing

Newsom slams red state governors on D.C. trip, stoking speculation about his future

Mexico's fermented drinks bubble up Oct 07, 2022

For hundreds of years, Mexican fermented drinks like tepache, tejuino and pulque were looked down upon by polite society. But a younger generation in Mexico has embraced them for their taste and curative powers.

Now, they’re having a moment in the United States — and becoming a multimillion-dollar industry. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times food editor Daniel Hernandez

More reading:

Foggy, fizzy, buzzy: Searching for the fermented drinks of Mexico on the streets of L.A.

Between heaven and earth, a spirited communion on Day of the Dead

Recipe: Homemade tepache

The Iranian diaspora rises up Oct 05, 2022

Mahsa Amini died Sept. 16 in Iran after an encounter with the country’s so-called morality police. Since her death, Iranians have taken to the streets in protest of the country’s modesty laws. But what began as a call for women’s rights in Iran has since ballooned into something so much bigger.

Today, we hear from the Iranian diaspora about why they’re protesting in solidarity. Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times podcast producer Asal Ehsanipour

Guests: L.A. Times diaspora reporter Sarah Parvini

More reading:

‘Woman, life, freedom’: L.A. protest over Iran draws thousands

‘Nothing to lose’: Iran’s protesters step up their defiance as a potential showdown looms

In protests over death of Mahsa Amini, internet is key to planning. Can Iran block access?

The sketchy test sending moms to prison Oct 03, 2022

There’s a test used across Latin America to determine whether a baby was born dead or alive. And depending on the result, it could allow prosecutors to bring murder charges against mothers who might have had a still-born birth. And there’s an even bigger problem. This test is 400 years old and very unreliable.

Today, how the so-called flotation test is sending women to prison for killing their newborns, when they say that they’re innocent. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Leila Miller

More reading:

An unreliable 400-year-old test is sending mothers to prison for killing their newborns

Across Latin America, abortion restrictions are being loosened

Thousands of feminists march in Mexico City: ‘I am scared to simply be a woman in Mexico’

The rise, fall and rise of Lula Sep 30, 2022

Brazilians are heading to the polls on Sunday to choose between two very different candidates: current president Jair Bolsonaro and a former one, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, more popularly known as Lula. The icon of the left spent years in prison on corruption charges but is now on the cusp of regaining the presidency.

Today, we talk about how that happened. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Latin America correspondent Kate Linthicum

More reading:

Three years ago he was in prison. Now he’s poised to be Brazil’s next president

Echoing Trump, Brazil’s president prepares for election loss by declaring vote rigged

COVID-19 cautionary tales from India and Brazil

The fight to become L.A. County sheriff Sep 28, 2022

Alex Villanueva was elected as Los Angeles County sheriff in 2018 with support from progressives riding an anti-Trump wave. But since he took office, he has shifted to the right. His opponent in the November election, retired Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna, leads in the polls.

But at a time when issues surrounding law enforcement are part of a national conversation, how much do they differ? We talk about it, as we hear from both candidates at a debate this month. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times law enforcement reporter Alene Tchekmedyian

More reading:

Luna, Villanueva trade charges in antagonistic L.A. sheriff debate

Alex Villanueva thought his ‘Quien es más Latino?’ strategy would sink his opponent. Nope

Sheriff Villanueva in tight race as challenger Robert Luna has edge in new poll

Masters of Disasters: Broken records! Sep 26, 2022

Record heat. Record drought. Record floods. Record hail. Record bad air. In a world where climate disasters seem to break records every year, do records even mean anything anymore? And if not, then what’s next when it comes to measuring climate misery?

Today, we reconvene our Masters of Disasters to examine this existential question. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times wildfire reporter Alex Wigglesworth, L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy Roth, and L.A. Times air quality reporter Tony Briscoe.

More reading:

Destructive rain in Death Valley, flooded Vegas casinos mark a summer of extreme weather

As forests go up in smoke, so will California’s climate plan

California’s epic heat wave is over. Here’s what we learned

Crimes for rhymes? Sep 23, 2022

There are dozens if not hundreds of cases involving prosecutors using rap lyrics that are about crimes as evidence of actual crimes, even when there was no other credible evidence. But finally, the recording industry and California lawmakers are pushing to put an end to the practice.

Today, we talk about groundbreaking legislation that could limit how music is used as evidence in criminal court. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith

More reading:

Column: America loves rap, not Black people. Don’t be fooled because this bill protects lyrics

Rapper ‘Tiny Doo’ and college student arrested under controversial gang law get day in court against police

San Diego council approves $1.5M payout to two men jailed under controversial gang law

Legal pot in California sparks corruption Sep 21, 2022

Ever since California legalized cannabis in 2016, the state’s weed market has become a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s estimated to be the largest legal market of its kind in the world. But whenever you get that much money anywhere; well, you’re gonna get political corruption.

Today, our investigation into how illegal moves around marijuana are plaguing city halls across the state. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times investigative reporter Adam Elmahrek

More reading:

$250,000 cash in a brown paper bag.’ How legal weed unleashed corruption in California

Legal Weed, Broken Promises: A Times series on the fallout of legal pot in California

Would this California town have become so pro-cannabis if not for a councilwoman’s pot industry ties?

How L.A.’s next mayor will handle homelessness Sep 19, 2022

Housing L.A.’s homeless population has unsurprisingly proved to be a herculean task. With tens of thousands of people on the streets, it’s become a top issue for this year’s mayoral election in November. But until now, neither candidate — Congresswoman Karen Bass and real estate developer Rick Caruso — had offered specifics on the type of housing they would create, where it would be or how much it would cost.

So we asked. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporters Ben Oreskes and Doug Smith

More reading:

Bass and Caruso have talked big on homelessness. Now they’re offering some details

Can Bass or Caruso solve the L.A. homeless housing crisis? Here are their divergent plans

Bass, Caruso sling mud over USC scholarship, alleged hacks and homelessness fixes

Back to the moon — and beyond? Sep 16, 2022

Sometime soon, NASA plans to launch a powerful new rocket. The launch is part of an ambitious quest to get people back to the moon for the first time in half a century — and just maybe, even further.

Today, why the U.S. and its partners are determined to go back to the moon and the role politics plays when we reach for the stars. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times business reporter Samantha Masunaga

More reading:

NASA’s return to the moon is delayed again after scrub because of fuel leak

Column One: 50 years after Apollo 11, the moon’s allure still resonates

Readers remember the Apollo 11 moon landing, 50 years later

How illegal cannabis smoked California Sep 14, 2022

California voters legalized cannabis in 2016, and one of the issues that was supposed to be solved was the violence and environmental wreckage associated with the drug’s illegal trade. But that hasn’t happened.

Inside California’s famed “Emerald Triangle,” a region north of San Francisco known for its weed, there’s an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 illegal cannabis farms alone. The under-the-radar cultivation is messing with once-peaceful communities. Today, we get into this issue. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times investigative reporter Paige St. John

More reading:

Legal Weed, Broken Promises: A Times series on the fallout of legal pot in California

Nobody knows how widespread illegal cannabis grows are in California. So we mapped them

The reality of legal weed in California: Huge illegal grows, violence, worker exploitation and deaths

A wildfire with your Airbnb? Sep 12, 2022

A Los Angeles Times analysis found that thousands of short-term Airbnb rentals are in California’s most hazardous fire zones. But the company does not provide warnings or evacuation information to guests when they make a reservations, and some customers say the company’s refund policy adds to the potential dangers.

Today, as climate change threatens so many aspects of our lives, are even our vacations not safe anymore? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporters Ben Poston and Alex Wigglesworth

More reading:

In California’s high-risk fire country, Airbnb offers guests no warning or escape plan

Is your vacation rental in a risky wildfire zone? What you need to know

California fires are burning faster, hotter, more intensely — and getting harder to fight

Fast cars, furious residents Sep 09, 2022

Street takeovers. Street races. Burnouts. They’re the latest manifestations of car culture in the region — cousins to the drag races, lowrider cruises, V-dub love-ins and other gear-head gatherings that’ve gone on here for decades. But what you’re seeing right now — a lot of people say the scene feels different. And some people say the film franchise “Fast & Furious” is to blame.

In a region where car culture is king and stunts are all over social media, residents, politicians and law enforcement have had enough. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Nathan Solis

More reading:

Inside L.A.’s deadly street takeover scene: ‘A scene of lawlessness’

19 cars seized, 27 arrested in illegal street takeover in Pomona

LA Times Today: Dangerous street takeovers take a deadly toll on L.A.

A Wyoming wind farm to power California Sep 07, 2022

There’s a Gold Rush right now happening in Wyoming — for wind. Billionaire developers are putting up wind turbines to help power California and turn the American West, long a place where fossil fuels ruled, into a green energy powerhouse.

But not everyone is happy. Today, we get into the challenges around what’s planned to be the largest wind farm in the country. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy Roth

More reading:

Read our “Repowering the West” series here

This power line could save California — and forever change the American West

Sign up for our Boiling Point newsletter

An unprecedented use of Mexico's military Sep 02, 2022

Mexico president Andrés Manuel López Obradorcame into office promising to get the military off the streets. Instead, he’s more than doubled their numbers. He claims there’s just no other way to handle Mexico’s narco-violence.

Today, we look at Mexico’s delicate dance with its military. It’s an institution that’s among the most trusted in the nation, and potentially its most dangerous. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Latin America correspondent Kate Linthicum

More reading:

Mexico’s president vowed to end the drug war. Instead he’s doubled the number of troops in the streets

Mexico’s military gains power as president turns from critic to partner

Mexico sent in the army to fight the drug war. Many question the toll on society and the army itself

Melanie Lynskey gets very real with us Sep 01, 2022

For her role as Shauna in “Yellowjackets,” Melanie Lynskey has an Emmy nomination for lead actress in a drama series.

Today, we've got another episode from our sister podcast "The Envelope." Lynskey joins host Yvonne Villarreal to dish on how this year has helped her feel more empowered and less underestimated, arriving at a place of self-love after struggling with an eating disorder, and why now is the time for ferocious female characters. She also busts out her Drew Barrymore impression and gets a brief, adorable visit from a special guest. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Yvonne Villarreal

Guest: Melanie Lynskey

More reading:

‘Yellowjackets’ star Melanie Lynskey is celebrating her Emmy nod by ... buying a fridge

‘Yellowjackets’ creators break down ‘heartbreaking’ finale — and your fan theories

Sebastian Stan, Melanie Lynskey and more discuss teaching directors about acting

Less loan debt, more midterm love for Dems? Aug 31, 2022

Millions of Americans who attended college could have their debt completely canceled or reduced under a plan announced by President Joe Biden last week. But the move is unsurprisingly stirring debate among the right and left, but for completely different reasons.

Today, we talk about how this announcement might impact the midterms. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times national reporter Arit John

More reading:

For many with student loans, the interest hurts the most. This congressman would know

Student loan forgiveness: Everything you need to know

Why Californians with student loans will gain massively from forgiveness plan

The Haitian dream for America Aug 30, 2022

After displacement from Haiti, an exodus from South America and an epic journey through the Americas, what became of Haitians’ American dream? Today, in the final episode of the “Line in the Land” podcast produced by Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle, we hear from Haitian migrants about where they ended up. Read the full transcript here.

Hosts: Joey Palacios of Texas Public Radio, and Elizabeth Trovall with the Houston Chronicle

More reading:

Listen to all “Line in the Land” episodes

The Times podcast: Our nation’s Haitian double standard

Haitians in L.A. Spread Out and Blend In

This podcast is made possible by the Catana Foundation, supporting the asylum seeker advocacy project, providing more than 100,000 asylum seekers in the U.S. with community and legal support. Learn more at asylum.news. For the Spanish version of this episode, listen here.

Hope, struggles for Afghan refugees in U.S. Aug 29, 2022

One year ago this month, U.S. forces left Afghanistan after 20 years of war. Some 94,000 Afghan nationals, American citizens and lawful permanent residents have arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Today, we hear some of their stories. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times diaspora reporter Sarah Parvini and photojournalist Marcus Yam

More reading:

They escaped Afghanistan for California and beyond. But war’s struggles followed them

The things they carried when they fled Afghanistan

The cadence of war and its human toll: A photojournalist’s perspective

A Times journalist’s diary inside the fall of Afghanistan

On the GOAT-ness of Serena Williams Aug 26, 2022

In 1999 in New York, Serena Williams won her first major tennis title at the U.S. Open. Everyone knew she was gonna be a star in the sport and a transformational one too, but few thought she would become the greatest of all time.

Today, we talk about the legacy of Serena Williams, not just as an athlete, but as a woman — a Black woman. And what’s next for the tennis icon. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Broadcast journalist Cari Champion

More reading:

Column: Serena Williams makes a conscious choice to give up tennis and focus on her family

Column: The mind of Serena Williams

LA Times Today: Serena Williams’ legacy on and off the court

Colman Domingo on redemption and forgiveness Aug 25, 2022

For his role as Ali in “Euphoria,” Colman Domingo has an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actor in a drama series. Today, we've got another episode from our sister podcast, "The Envelope." Domingo joins "The Envelope" host Mark Olsen to discuss how his character — who is the sponsors to a struggling teenage drug addict played by Zendaya — is a symbol of redemption and forgiveness, which he feels our culture desperately needs. He also dishes on why he calls himself a nerd, how he almost walked away from his career, and why being “a shapeshifter” means his real-life looks take people by surprise. Read the full transcript here.

More reading:

Colman Domingo creates a theater award for Black men

The lives of Colman Domingo: acting in ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ writing ‘Dot,’ directing ‘Barbecue’ at the Geffen

Zendaya hopes ‘Euphoria’ fans ‘still see the good’ in Rue after she ‘hits rock bottom’

Goodbye, new gas stations in California? Aug 24, 2022

Surprise, surprise: California cities are banning new gas stations and other cities across the world are watching. The bans are part of an ongoing quest to combat climate change, this time on a local municipal level. The movement is small so far, but now even the car capital of the world, Los Angeles, is thinking about it.

Today, what would happen if L.A. hops on this no-new-gas-station brigade. And what we can learn from the cities that’ve already done it. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Fast Break Desk reporter Grace Toohey

More reading:

California cities ban new gas stations in battle to combat climate change

Editorial: Ban new gas stations? There are better ways for L.A. to ditch fossil fuels

LA Times Today: California cities ban new gas stations to combat climate change

How Haiti got here Aug 23, 2022

When an earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, the international community pledged billions of dollars toward recovery. Much of that aid never went to rebuilding Haiti – or even to the Haitian people. But Haiti’s instability goes back even farther. In fact, it has a lot to do with outside political forces dating back to the country’s origin story as the world’s first Black republic.

Today, episode 4 of “Line in the Land,” a podcast from Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle. We’ll be back with episode 5 next Tuesday. We’re airing an episode from “A Line in the Land” every Tuesday through the end of August.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Joey Palacios with Texas Public Radio and Elizabeth Trovall with the Houston Chronicle.

More reading:

Haiti’s struggle has worsened in the year since the slaying of its president

As Haiti reels from crises, U.S. policy decisions are called into question

Op-Ed: The West owes a centuries-old debt to Haiti

Binge all the episodes of "Line in the Land" here. Episodes are in both English and Spanish. "Line in the Land" was made possible, in part, by the Catena Foundation, providing more than 100,000 asylum seekers in the U.S. with community and legal support. Learn more at asylum.news

When your anti-Black coworker is Latino Aug 22, 2022

Two of the largest race discrimination cases investigated by the federal government in the past decade allege widespread abuse of hundreds of Black employees by supervisors and coworkers at warehouses in Southern California’s Inland Empire. Anti-black bias on the job is sadly nothing new. But as the Latino population across the US, and especially California continues to grow, anti-Black bias by Latinos in the workplace is drawing renewed scrutiny.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times labor reporter Margot Roosevelt

More reading:

In California’s largest race bias cases, Latino workers are accused of abusing Black colleagues

Horrific allegations of racism prompt California lawsuit against Tesla

Fight over jobs divides interests of Blacks, Latinos

Who is America? Aug 19, 2022

Since the start of 2021, L.A. Times national correspondent Tyrone Beason has been on the road. He’s doing what a lot of us are thinking about: he’s on a quest to find out what’s up with the United States. In a year-long series called “My Country,” Beason has been trying to find the things that bind us, while also trying to make sense of the issues that keep tearing us apart.

Today, we check in with Beason and hear some of his dispatches. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times national correspondent Tyrone Beason

More reading:

Read Tyrone Beason’s full “My Country” series here

In the vastness of the Inland Empire, people of color find ‘peace in these troubled times’

This California wine country town is multicultural. So why do so many feel invisible?

Better call Rhea Seehorn Aug 18, 2022

For her role as the ethically flexible attorney Kim Wexler in “Better Call Saul,” Rhea Seehorn is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series. She joins “The Envelope” host Yvonne Villarreal to delve into the show’s last twists and turns and talk about the scariest day on the set. Seehorn also discusses her efforts to balance gratitude with confidence and shares stories about how her father’s alcoholism shaped her. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Yvonne Villarreal

Guests: Rhea Seehorn

More reading:

Rhea Seehorn knows her ‘Better Call Saul’ character is toast. And she’s loving every minute

A couple that schemes together, dreams together

Rhea Seehorn on reading a ‘Better Call Saul’ script: ‘I’m not dead yet. Are you dead?’

Babies at a bargain, pricey problems Aug 17, 2022

Decades ago, when you couldn’t conceive or carry a child, your options for becoming a parent were limited. But then in 1978, in-vitro fertilization became possible. But IVF can be very expensive. And one method in particular can lead to heartache and scandal.

Today, how one woman’s attempt to offer more affordable surrogacy services collapsed, leaving in its wake heartbroken couples, frustrated surrogates and an FBI investigation. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Former L.A. Times national correspondent Emily Baumgaertner

More reading:

She promised babies at bargain prices using surrogates in Mexico. Now the FBI is investigating

LA Times Today: Why the FBI is investigating surrogates in Mexico

The audio of the first test tube baby, Louise Brown, is from a video news release produced by London Television Service and made available by the BFI National Archive.

Life and death in the Darién Gap Aug 16, 2022

To get to the U.S. border from South America, Haitians have to trek through an isolated stretch of jungle called the Darién Gap. In the latest episode of “Line in the Land,” a podcast produced by the Houston Chronicle and Texas Public Media, Haitian migrants take listeners with them on a jungle journey like no other. Read the full transcript here.

Hosts: Joey Palacios and Elizabeth Trovall

More reading:

Lost in the deep of Darien

Crossing the Darién Gap

This remote sliver of northwest Colombia is one of the world’s busiest migration corridors

Binge all the episodes of Line in the Land here. Episodes are in both English and Spanish. A Line in the Land was made possible, in part, by the Catena Foundation, providing more than 100,000 asylum seekers in the U.S. with community and legal support. Learn more at asylum.news

The parents at the epicenter of a culture war Aug 15, 2022

Last year, frustrations over COVID-related school closures slammed into the nation’s culture war and tipped an election. It all started in Virginia’s Loudoun County, whose schools became a lightning rod as they grappled with mask mandates, a bathroom policy for transgender students and efforts to fix systemic racial discrimination.

Today, we discuss how conservative parents in Virginia began a powerful nationwide movement and how Democrats are trying to win this important voting bloc back. We also explore how parents in Loudoun County really feel. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times White House reporter Courtney Subramanian

More reading:

Focus on the economy, not ‘critical race theory’ or sex ed: Inside Democrats’ plan to win back parents

School boards become battle zones over COVID-19 rules, critical race theory, trans students

Opinion: Teachers have to put the welfare of transgender students before their own beliefs

Why Wyoming's "brand" hates Liz Cheney Aug 12, 2022

You might know Liz Cheney for her recent leadership of the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Her prominent role in the televised hearings has boosted her status nationally, but back at home, in conservative Wyoming, Cheney has effectively been disowned. Her vote to impeach President Trump and the decision to take part in the investigation has forced her into a sort of exile from her home state.

Sweet, scary, sad, silly Bill Hader Aug 11, 2022

Bill Hader became popular on "Saturday Night Live" with silly characters like Stefon, but his titular character on the HBO show "Barry" is more twisted and brilliant. It’s a great dark comedy about a hitman who wants to become an actor and how his worlds collide.

In this conversation with “The Envelope” host Mark Olsen, Bill brings both the fun and the darkness: He’s pleasant and light, and he laughs while talking about some of the most disturbing things on his show. Read the full transcript here.

House music forever Aug 10, 2022

This summer, some of the biggest names in music decided that we all need to dance. Drake, Beyoncé, Charlie XCX, Bad Bunny — they all departed from their usual styles to create albums inspired by a genre called house music.

Today, we talk about how house music became the sound of liberation and why it’s back and more mainstream than ever.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times pop music reporter August Brown

More reading:

Beyoncé returns with liberating house jam ‘Break My Soul’

The Gold Line carries house music to downtown L.A.

The Beyoncé effect: ‘Break My Soul’ propels ’90s star Robin S and the Great Resignation

A Haitian Odyssey Episode 2: Chile Aug 09, 2022

Today, we offer episode 2 of “A Line in the Land,” from our friends at Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle. It’s a podcast that explores the human story behind the Haitian immigration journey. On this episode, hosts Elizabeth Trovall and Joey Palacios try to answer the question of why many Haitians went to Chile after Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. And what happened to those refugees when the Chilean government became more hostile to immigration.

Taiwan prepares for China's wrath Aug 08, 2022

Last week, Nancy Pelosi became the first House Speaker in a quarter century to visit Taiwan. China viewed Pelosi’s trip as a direct challenge. As tensions over the self-governed island ratchet up, Taiwan is preparing for war. But are its people ready?

Jennifer Coolidge welcomes her closeup Aug 05, 2022

Jennifer Coolidge has a career full of memorable roles, from the “American Pie” franchise to the “Legally Blonde” series and the mock documentaries of Christopher Guest. But it wasn’t until her role in HBO’s hit “The White Lotus” that she finally earned critical respect. Today, Coolidge talks about her life and career — and what’s next. Read the full transcript here.

Hosts: Mark Olsen and Yvonne Villarreal

Guests: Jennifer Coolidge

More reading:

Column: Jennifer Coolidge has been a big deal for years; with an Emmy nod, she’s starting to believe it

Jennifer Coolidge gets vulnerable

Jennifer Coolidge dreamed of being a dramatic actor. ‘White Lotus’ was her chance e-envelope-podcast

Vin Scully, the greatest Aug 04, 2022

Vin Scully was the broadcaster for the Dodgers baseball franchise for 67 years, from its time in Brooklyn through its move to Los Angeles. In the process, he not only became a sports legend; he became a summer soundtrack for generations of fans in Southern California and beyond.

Today, we remember the life and legacy of Vin Scully. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Former fellow for The Times, Angel Carreras

Guests: L.A. Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, sportscaster Bob Costas

More reading:

Complete coverage: Remembering the life of Dodgers announcer Vin Scully (1927-2022)

Column: Vin Scully’s voice, a serenade of rebirth, will live on forever in Los Angeles

Column: Vaya con Dios, Vin Scully — a beacon of possibility for generations in L.A.

A place of friendship at the border closes Aug 03, 2022

On the U.S.-Mexico border, where San Diego ends and Tijuana begins right next to the Pacific Ocean, there’s a place called Friendship Park. It opened over 50 years ago and was meant to be a symbol of the binational community that stretches across the border. Friendship Park eventually became an unlikely place for poignant cross-border reunions.

But since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship Park has been shut down. And there’s a good chance it might not reopen. We get into its history and future today. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: San Diego Union-Tribune border reporter Kate Morrissey

More reading:

Once a symbol of binational unity, Friendship Park could close to cross-border reunions forever

Wall going up in Friendship Park at U.S.-Mexico border

U.S. side of a binational garden at Mexico border bulldozed

A Haitian Odyssey Episode 1: Texas Aug 02, 2022

We bring you episode 1 of “Line in the Land,” a new podcast from Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle that explores the human story behind the Haitians traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border in search of a better life. Read the full transcript here.

Hosts: Joey Palacios with Texas Public Radio, and Elizabeth Trovall with the Houston Chronicle.

More reading:

Inside the brutal 10,000-mile journey Haitian migrants make in search of a home

Podcast: Our nation’s Haitian double standard

Opinion: Helping one child at a time in Haiti 10 years after the devastation

Her life, her body, her death Aug 01, 2022

On July 16, Gabriella Walsh carried out a decision months in the making; a process involving her loved ones and medical providers. She drank a fatal dose of medication prescribed under California’s so-called death-with-dignity law, which allows some terminally ill patients to request drugs to end their lives.

Today, we tell the story of Walsh, and hear her talk about why she decided to end her life on her own terms. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Marisa Gerber, and L.A. Times photographer Dania Maxwell

More reading:

One last trip: Gabriella Walsh’s decision to die — and celebrate life — on her own terms

Death-with-dignity movement springs back to life in California

California lawmakers vote to speed up state process for terminally ill to end their lives

What you need to know about monkeypox Jul 29, 2022

Monkeypox is on the rise, and now officially considered a global health emergency. Cases in the U.S. number in the thousands and only took a week to double here in Los Angeles. The viral disease has, so far, mostly affected the LGBTQ community, but anyone can get it. So how worried should we be?

Today, we talk about what to know and answer listener questions. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times breaking news reporter Grace Toohey

More reading:

Monkeypox spreads in L.A. County, but vaccine shortage persists. What to know

World Health Organization declares monkeypox a global emergency

San Francisco officials declare state of emergency as monkeypox spreads

The drought, this time in northern Mexico Jul 28, 2022

A drought has drained the reservoirs that provide most of the water for 5 million residents who live around Monterrey, the financial capital of northern Mexico. The crisis has sparked widespread upheaval. Anger is mounting at government officials who allow the region’s factories to continue pulling water from the strained aquifer via private wells while some residents are left without water for days.

Today, we take a look at the city and an unfolding crisis that experts say is a stark warning for the rest of Mexico and the American West. Read the full transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Kate Linthicum

More reading:

Taps have run dry in Monterrey, Mexico, where there is water for factories but not for residents

Podcast: Drought wants your carne asada and iPhone

Western megadrought is worst in 1,200 years, intensified by climate change, study finds

He took Trump's Jan. 6 close-up Jul 27, 2022

The Jan. 6 House subcommittee investigating the events of that day have poured through thousands of hours of videos. But during the hearings, the public also got a sneak preview of even more moments caught on tape — from a documentary that tells the events of the U.S. Capitol insurrection through a behind-the-scenes view of Donald Trump.

Today, we’re talking with documentary filmmaker Alex Holder about his movie “Unprecedented,” which aired this month on Discovery Plus. The documentary offers an inside view into the Trump organization right as Jan. 6 was happening. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Filmmaker Alex Holder

More reading:

Jan. 6 panel to receive Trump family footage from 2020 election and Capitol insurrection

Five takeaways from the Trump Jan. 6 documentary ‘Unprecedented’

A new Trump doc was subpoenaed by Jan. 6 committee. It’s not as revelatory as it sounds

What do Gillian Anderson and Eleanor Roosevelt have in common? Jul 26, 2022

It’s Emmy season, so we’ve got another episode of the “Envelope” for you. This time, it’s an in-depth conversation with Gillian Anderson, who plays Eleanor Roosevelt in “The First Lady.” Anderson talks about how Eleanor Roosevelt was the brains behind the FDR presidency, the focus on Roosevelt’s loving relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok in “The First Lady,” and why it took her some time to click with “Sex Education.” Taking on a historical figure isn’t new for Anderson — who also plays Margaret Thatcher in “The Crown” and Catherine’s mother, Joanna, in “The Great.” Nor is portraying a character who stays in her lane, which wasn’t a stretch from Anderson’s own personality. Follow the "Envelope" wherever you listen to podcasts. Read the full transcript here.

Beyoncé, Beyoncé, Beyoncé — Beyoncé! Jul 25, 2022

Beyoncé is getting ready to bring the world her seventh studio album this Friday. Rumors are already swirling about what genre she’ll showcase, what themes she’ll explore and more.

We already got a hint with the single “Break My Soul,” which has popped across dance floors all summer. Even if you’re not part of Beyoncé's Beyhive counting down the days until the album release, it’s hard to deny that the artist is iconic — a total game changer.

But how did she get here, and how does she remain relevant? We get into that today. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times pop music critic Mikael Woods

More reading:

Beyoncé has made music history — again — with chart-topping ‘Break My Soul’

Beyoncé's ‘Renaissance’ album cover is here. Saddle up and bow down to the queen

Beyoncé returns with liberating house jam ‘Break My Soul’

The 411 on the 988 suicide hotline Jul 22, 2022

Remember this number: 988. The new three-digit hotline is now the 911 equivalent for mental health emergencies. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health. And experts say the pandemic, racial violence and political unrest are behind an uptick in suicides across the country. That’s why last weekend’s launch of the nationwide mental health crisis hotline couldn’t come soon enough.

Today, as part of “For Your Mind,” Los Angeles Times’ new initiative exploring mental health from multiple angles, we talk about the hopes and challenges ahead for the 988 hotline. Will it help fundamentally change how the U.S. treats and considers mental health, or will it fail like so many efforts before it? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Jaclyn Cosgrove, assistant editor at the Los Angeles Times and manager of “For Your Mind”

More reading:

Op-Ed: Will the new 988 hotline be a game changer for mental health or a missed opportunity?

New 988 hotline is the 911 for mental health emergencies

Editorial: For crisis response, press 988 — and pass a bill to keep it funded

Musicians for abortion rights redux Jul 21, 2022

When the annual Glastonbury music festival happened this year, performers openly criticized on stage the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, which happened that same week. It recalled a similar movement nearly 30 years earlier, when feminist rock groups started Rock for Choice and rallied a generation to fight for abortion access.

Today, the history of that movement — and whether it can happen again. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times music reporter Suzy Exposito

More reading:

In the ’90s, a new breed of rock stars organized for abortion rights. Could that happen today?

Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo and other performers slam Supreme Court at Glastonbury

POP MUSIC REVIEW : Bands get together for Rock for Choice

Simone Ashley’s ‘Bridgerton’ breakthrough Jul 20, 2022

It’s Emmy season, so we’re dropping another episode of our sister podcast, the “Envelope." Today, an in-depth conversation with actor Simone Ashley.

Ashley has always been a fan of the romance genre, but before being cast as Kate in “Bridgerton,” playing the lead in a period drama seemed improbable to her. “I never imagined that a woman who looked like me could be a part of one,” she says. In this episode of "The Envelope" podcast, Ashley discusses embracing the political aspects of her career, how acting on “Sex Education” prepared her for "Bridgerton" and how her upbringing taught her to dream big.

Subscribe to the "Envelope" here and never miss an episode.

Pregnant and homeless in Hollywood Jul 19, 2022

In 2018, the L.A. Times began to follow Mckenzie Trahan, a pregnant homeless woman living in Hollywood. Over the next four years, a Times reporter, photographer and videographer tracked Trahan’s life as she tried to find housing and become a mom. Today, we hear about her journey. Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times photographer Christina House

More reading:

Pregnant, homeless and living in a tent: Meet Mckenzie

She spent decades as a nomad. But her daughter’s pregnancy brought her back to L.A.

We chronicled one homeless woman’s motherhood journey since 2018

Burnout at the front lines of disasters Jul 18, 2022

So many disasters, so little time. And it’s the same group of people on the front lines, year after year. What happens when they get tired? Today, our Masters of Disaster talk about burnout among firefighters, scientists, doctors and the people we trust to take on the biggest calamities nature throws at us — as well as how to hold on to a little hope. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporters Rong-Gong Lin II, Rosanna Xia and Alex Wigglesworth

More reading:

Hellish fires, low pay, trauma: California’s Forest Service firefighters face a morale crisis

Almost 9 in 10 Californians live in areas with high COVID-19 levels as BA.5 fuels infections

Editorial: Let’s make 2022 the year we all get angry about climate inaction

The mountain lion that captured L.A.'s heart Jul 15, 2022

He’s animal royalty in the City of Angels; an ambassador for conservation and for the random beauty this megalopolis offers. But P-22 is also a poster boy for something sadder. The mountain lion is thought to be about 12, and nearing the end of his life. He’s an eternal bachelor, cut off from the rest of his species and a symbol of what’s left of LA’s once-incredible ecosystems that are just barely holding on.

Today, the story of the cougar who stole L.A.'s heart. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times enterprise reporter Laura J. Nelson

More reading:

He’s terminally single and getting old. What’s next for P-22, L.A.’s favorite wild bachelor?

A week in the life of P‑22, the big cat who shares Griffith Park with millions of people

Must Reads: Mountain lions are being killed on freeways and weakened by inbreeding. Researchers have a solution

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, together for us Jul 14, 2022

It’s Emmys season, and the “Envelope” is here for it. So once a week for the next couple of weeks, we’re going to feature an episode of our sister podcast in “The Times.” First up: Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, who recently wrapped up their much-beloved Netflix series, “Grace and Frankie.” In this episode, the duo laugh and cry with us while reflecting on their decades long friendship, their mutual admiration for their “9 to 5” co-star Dolly Parton, who reunited with them for the final episode, and the lies people tell about aging and death. Subscribe to the "Envelope" here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Read the full transcript here.

What happened to Lora Lee, Part 2 Jul 13, 2022

For over a year, L.A. Times entertainment reporter Stacy Perman tried to track down Lora Lee Michel, a former child star whose custody case scandalized 1940s Hollywood. Michel went through a string of marriages — and then disappeared.

In Part 2 of our miniseries, Perman finds out Michel’s shocking fate. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times entertainment reporter Stacy Perman

More reading:

Podcast: What happened to Lora Lee? Part 1

A child star at 7, in prison at 22. Then she vanished. What happened to Lora Lee Michel?

Explaining Hollywood: Your child wants to act. What do you need to know?

What Happened to Lora Lee? Jul 12, 2022

Throughout the history of Hollywood, child entertainers have consistently clashed with their parents and guardians who manage their money and lives. The stories of kid stars like Britney Spears and Gary Coleman are well known. But long before them, was child actor Lora Lee Michel. In the 1940s, Michel became a famed Hollywood actress at age 7, working alongside screen legends like Humphrey Bogart and Gary Cooper. But by the time she was 22, she landed in prison. Then she disappeared.

Today, part 1 of a two-part series tracing Michel’s life. It’s a story that reveals the underbelly of Hollywood’s Golden Age and the perils facing child actors. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Company Town reporter Stacy Perman

More reading:

A child star at 7, in prison at 22. Then she vanished. What happened to Lora Lee Michel?

An old VHS tape gives a son a glimpse of his father’s shot at fame in 1960s Hollywood

Explaining Hollywood: Your child wants to act. What do you need to know?

California's carbon-capture controversy Jul 11, 2022

Lawmakers want California to eliminate the state’s carbon footprint altogether by 2045. They’re taking all sorts of steps to get to that ambitious goal; from phasing out gas-powered engines in new cars and lawnmowers to electrifying home stoves. But there’s an even bigger plan ahead, one that environmental experts say could derail it all.

Today, we talk about California’s plan to pump carbon gas into the ground. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but that’s exactly what California says is key to be able to make the state carbon neutral. Can it work? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times air quality reporter Tony Briscoe

More reading:

Pollution from California’s 2020 wildfires likely offset decades of air quality gains

How California will fight Supreme Court’s limits on EPA climate enforcement

Biden's bold moves abroad to win at home Jul 08, 2022

In the 5 months since Russia’s invasion, the American public’s attention has turned back to problems at home — and US President Joe Biden hasn’t gotten a good grade for his handling of them. But last week, he was able to lead major policy breakthroughs at the NATO and G7 summits.

Today, can President Biden’s push to spread democracy abroad help him deal with various crises back home? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times White House reporter Eli Stokols

More reading:

News Analysis: Bold in shoring up democracy abroad, Biden is criticized as timid on the domestic front

Biden commits to more U.S. forces in Europe as NATO invites Sweden and Finland to join

Implored by Zelensky, Biden and G-7 allies will increase Ukraine defense aid, economic support

The rise and fall of a Hollywood almost-was Jul 07, 2022

Randall Emmett had built a career for himself in Hollywood over the past decade as a producer of schlocky action films featuring cameos of iconic actors like Bruce Willis and Al Pacino. But in recent years, he was at the cusp of finally gaining mainstream respect. He had a recurring role on the reality TV hit “Vanderpump Rules” and produced Martin Scorsese’s last two films. But a Times investigation found that multiple former assistants and people who worked for Emmett alleged improper behavior.

Today, we get into the rise and fall of Emmett, and what it says about the Hollywood of today. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times corporate media reporter Meg James and L.A. Times senior entertainment writer Amy Kaufman

More reading:

The man who played Hollywood: Inside Randall Emmett’s crumbling empire

Bruce Willis halts acting career after diagnosis with cognitive disorder

Randall Emmett’s drive to produce films is paying off

Lowriders lawfully cruise again Jul 06, 2022

Few things are more beautiful on a California summer evening than the sight of lowriders cruising slow and low and bouncing up and down through the streets. But for decades, municipalities across the Golden State have been declaring war on lowriding.

Today, why cities banned car cruising in the first place and how activists are finally winning. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Tammy Murga

More reading:

California Assembly urges cities to repeal bans on cruising

Podcast: Lowriders. Cruising. A Southern California ritual returns

During pandemic, trash and crime increased on Whittier Boulevard. Lowrider clubs said: Enough

That classic VW Bug could be an electric vehicle Jul 05, 2022

Classic cars are a staple of California culture, but they have a dirty secret – they're gas guzzlers. And with gas prices so high, collectors are beginning to convert their cars into electric vehicles. In this episode, L.A. business reporter Ronald D. White talks about the creative ways that Californians are getting their hands on electric cars.

The Future of Abortion, Part 6: History Repeated? Jul 01, 2022

A 22-year-old woman and an abortion doctor from California played key roles in the legal fight that eventually led to Roe vs. Wade. But now that Roe’s been struck down, is that history our future? Today, we look at what it was like for women seeking abortions in California and the doctors who served them before the procedure was legalized, and what that past might say about a future without the constitutional right to abortion. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Brittny Mejia

More reading:

Her illegal abortion paved the way for Roe. 56 years later she shares her story

“The Future of Abortion” series

California will see rush of people from out of state seeking abortion care, study says

D.C.'s secretive VP power lunch Jun 30, 2022

For decades, weekly lunches between the American president and his vice president have piqued the interest of D.C. insiders. Today, we take a look at this unique tradition and examine what the most exclusive meal in D.C. tells us about the evolution of the vice presidency. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times White House reporter Noah Bierman

More reading:

It’s not just a meal: Inside the nation’s most secretive and exclusive power lunch

Opinion: Obama and Biden do lunch

Gorbachev, Reagan, Bush to Lunch

Can companies help protect abortion? Jun 29, 2022

President Biden has vowed to help protect the ability of those who seek abortions to travel to other states. California and other states have stepped up to offer expanded access. And now companies are vowing to do what they can to help their employees continue to access abortion. But how much do those vows from private businesses really matter?

Today, we talk about how corporations are stepping up when the government won’t. But are they actually changing anything in a meaningful way? Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times business reporter Sam Dean

More reading:

Companies vow to help employees access abortion after Roe vs. Wade is overturned

Hollywood companies vow to pay travel costs for abortions after Roe vs. Wade decision

How Apple, Levi Strauss and other U.S. companies are creating a brand-new abortion benefit

Summer's biggest hazard? Humans! Jun 28, 2022

We’ll be having fun all summer long ... or not. Hazards are everywhere this season — in the bonfires we set, the trash we leave behind, the sunburns we get. Today, our Masters of Disasters talk about all the hazards out there, including us. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Rong-Gong Lin II, L.A. Times wildfire reporter Alex Wigglesworth and L.A. Times coast reporter Rosanna Xia

More reading:

In California’s high-risk fire country, Airbnb offers guests no warning or escape plan

Where are California’s dirtiest beaches? This list might surprise you

First suspected cases of monkeypox in Riverside and Santa Clara counties reported

California, the abortion sanctuary state Jun 27, 2022

More than 20 states have already worked to ban or severely limit abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade. But in California, access to abortion will continue to be protected. In fact, the state’s Democratic leaders want to expand the right to abortion — for those who live here, and even for those who don’t.

Today, how and why California is setting itself up as a “beacon of hope” for people who want an abortion.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times California government reporter Melody Gutierrez

More reading:

What happens in California with Roe vs. Wade now dead?

Newsom signs bill protecting California abortion providers from civil liability

In an America divided by abortion, guns and COVID, California and Newsom seize the moment

Special Edition: The Death of Roe vs. Wade Jun 24, 2022

Roe vs. Wade protected the constitutional right to an abortion for nearly 50 years. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned it, at least 20 states are banning or putting extreme limitations on access to abortion.

The outcome was expected, but the country still erupted when the ruling posted — abortion opponents gathered in celebration while abortion-access advocates reacted with anger.

Over the last few months, The Times has looked at the issue of abortion from a number of perspectives to help understand how we got to this historic moment. Today, we revisit five episodes from “The Future of Abortion” series.

Listen to the full episodes here:

Future of Abortion Part 1: Medicine
Dr. Warren Hern has performed abortions since before Roe vs. Wade. He speaks about his career — and the fears he has for the future.

Future of Abortion Part 2: Church
The complicated story of how evangelicals mobilized around restricting abortion, and one Christian woman’s place in it all.

The Future of Abortion Part 3: Money
How Texas has made it nearly impossible for low-income women to get an abortion. And how other states want to copy that.

The Future of Abortion, Part 4: Keeping It
Pregnancy centers have grown in numbers with the backing of antiabortion religious organizations. What’s their future like in a post-Roe vs. Wade world?

The Future of Abortion, Part 5 : Law
What went wrong with Roe vs. Wade and why the court’s effort to resolve the abortion controversy back in 1973 has instead led to decades of division.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporters Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Jaweed Kaleem and David G. Savage

More reading:

“The Future of Abortions” print series

In historic reversal, Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade, freeing states to outlaw abortion

The four key turning points that led to the fall of Roe vs. Wade

She was the Rosa Parks of the 1800s Jun 24, 2022

In celebration of Juneteenth, this week we're running some of our favorite episodes about the Black experience.

L.A. Times features writer Jeanette Marantos takes us from modern-day Southern California back to 1860s Massachusetts and Maryland for a look at an unsung civil rights hero. This episode first aired on Sep 24, 2021.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times features writer Jeanette Marantos

More reading:

She was the Rosa Parks of her day. So why was she in an unmarked grave for 129 years?

How we got the story of Ellen Garrison Jackson Clark and her courageous, unsung life

LA Times Today: The ‘Rosa Parks of Concord MA,’ discovered in an unmarked grave in Altadena

Big Tobacco, Black trauma Jun 23, 2022

In celebration of Juneteenth, this week we're running some of our favorite episodes about the Black experience.

Today, we revisit the showdown centering on proposals to ban menthol cigarettes and how the tobacco companies enlists Black community leaders to ensure that any ban never happens. This episode first aired on Apr 26, 2022.

Read the show transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times medical investigations reporter Emily Baumgaertner, and Ben Stockton of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Home was where the freeway is Jun 22, 2022

In celebration of Juneteenth, this week we're running some of our favorite episodes about the Black experience.

Today, housing and affordability reporter Liam Dillon dives into the historical and continuing impact of the 10 freeway on Black communities in Santa Monica. This episode first aired on Jan. 31, 2022.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times housing reporter Liam Dillon, and Santa Monica native Nichelle Monroe

More reading:

Santa Monica’s message to people evicted long ago for the 10 Freeway: Come home

Freeways force out residents in communities of color — again

Tour Santa Monica’s once-vibrant Black neighborhoods, nearly erased by racism and ‘progress’

The Future of Abortion, Part 5: Law Jun 21, 2022

The Supreme Court’s decision on Roe vs. Wade in 1973 was supposed to end the debate on abortion once and for all. But instead, it has led to decades of division. In our “Future of Abortion” series, The Times looks at abortion from a number of perspectives. Today, we dig into where Roe went wrong.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter David G. Savage

More reading:

Where Roe went wrong: A sweeping new abortion right built on a shaky legal foundation

Supreme Court’s pending abortion ruling: What it may mean

When will the Supreme Court make a decision on the fate of Roe vs. Wade?

An ‘Emmett Till moment’ for guns? Jun 20, 2022

In the wake of the Uvalde massacre, Emmett Till’s name is again at the forefront of a national conversation, this time about gun control. Till was the 14-year-old boy lynched by a group of white men in 1955 in Mississippi. Images of his mutilated body shocked the country and galvanized civil rights activists.

As people inside and outside newsrooms struggle with whether showing brutal images of slain children might move people and politicians toward collective action, Emmett’s family talks about power and pain, and the impact and limitations of an image.

Today, in honor of Juneteenth, we kick off a week of episodes about the Black experience with the question: Is this country in the middle of another “Emmett Till” moment?

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Marissa Evans

More reading:

After Uvalde shooting, people consider an ‘Emmett Till moment’ to change gun debate

Hearts ‘shattered’: Here are the victims of the Texas school shooting

House passes gun control bill after Buffalo, Uvalde attacks

To be queer in Singapore Jun 17, 2022

Just this year, Singapore’s top court upheld section 377A. That’s a British colonial-era law prohibiting consenting sex between men. And while the government says it doesn’t strictly enforce that law, anyone who breaks it could face up to two years behind bars.

Meanwhile, thousands of Queer Singaporean activists and LGBTQ allies will gather in Hong Lim Park this weekend for an annual gay pride event — and send a clear message to lawmakers that they’re done being denied their basic human rights.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: The Times producer David Toledo

Guest: L.A. Times Asia correspondent David Pierson

More reading:

Pink Dot: Singapore’s yearly pride celebration gets bigger and brighter

A Singaporean erotic OnlyFans star faces months in prison — and sparks a debate

Same-sex penguin parents spark literary controversy in Singapore

The biggest Jan. 6 bombshells Jun 16, 2022

After more than a year of investigations and thousands of hours of depositions, the Jan. 6 committee is looking to prove that former president Donald Trump had a plan to overturn the 2020 election.

Today, a look at the most explosive moments so far — and to come — as the committee lays out its case to show Trump’s connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and the role he may have played in spreading debunked conspiracy theories that the election he lost two years ago was rigged.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Sarah D. Wire

More reading:

Jan. 6 attack on Capitol was the ‘culmination of an attempted coup,’ panel chairman says

Trump ignored repeated warnings from Barr, advisors that election fraud claims were ‘bogus’

What’s the TV schedule for the next Jan. 6 committee hearings?

The Future of Abortion, Part 4: Keeping It Jun 15, 2022

Pregnancy centers offer services like free pregnancy tests, and sometimes resources like diapers or baby clothes — even classes and counseling. Their main focus, though, is to persuade women not to have abortions — and support those who continue their pregnancies.

Today, how religious organizations and state funding have led to the rise of these pregnancy centers, as abortion rights fall nationwide.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Houston bureau chief Molly Hennessy-Fiske

More reading:

The antiabortion movement fuels a growth industry: Pregnancy centers

Read and listen to the rest of the L.A. Times “The Future of Abortion” series here

Even with Roe vs. Wade in place, low-income women struggle to get abortions in Texas

Why L.A. has fridge-less apartments Jun 14, 2022

For most renters across the United States, having a refrigerator come with your unit is a given. Not in Southern California. For reasons no one can fully explain or understand, renters must furnish their living spaces with their own fridges, which has created an underground economy for the essential unit. Today, we try to crack this mystery.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times housing reporter Liam Dillon

More reading:

Why do so many L.A. apartments come without fridges? Inside the chilling mystery

Real Estate newsletter: Where are all the fridges?

Landlords in California aren’t required to provide refrigerators

Hidden clues of a Black family's Bible Jun 13, 2022

In the late 1980s, the Diggs family of Southern California came across a family Bible with an incredible backstory. Notes written in the margin documented their family history to an enslaved ancestor who learned to read and write — rare at the time. The Diggs eventually donated their heirloom to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., where it’s now on display. Historians say artifacts like the Bible are rare and offer a valuable portrait into legacy and resistance.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times Washington D.C. reporter Erin B. Logan

More reading:

How a Black family’s Bible ended up at the Smithsonian Institution

Black genealogists get help tracing their roots

Behind these names, you’ll find stories of L.A.’s Black history

The drag mothers of Los Angeles Jun 10, 2022

Drag culture is one of the most iconic forms of expression within the LGBTQ community. For outsiders looking in, drag culture looks fun and flamboyant. But for lots of queens, it’s about so much more than the flashy fun. It’s about family.

Today, we dig deep into drag, specifically drag mothers who keep the culture afloat and show us what family can be for some in the LGBTQ community.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Times producer Ashlea Brown

More reading:

All hail the drag queens raising L.A.’s tight-knit families

Essential California: A drag laureate for West Hollywood?

How drag has changed the face of art, fashion, and beauty

How mass shootings affect young voters Jun 09, 2022

This year’s midterm elections were expected to be a referendum on the economy, but as gun violence is on the minds of Americans, yet again, millennials and zillennials, who’ve grown up in an era of massacres, might prove a constituency that no politician can ignore. If they show up to the ballot box, that is.

Today, we talk about how gun violence affects the politics of young voters.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times 2021-22 Los Angeles Times Fellow Anumita Kaur

More reading:

Newsletter: Essential Politics: Do mass shootings affect young voters?

School shootings have increased recently; the violence in Texas is among the deadliest

Thousands protest outside NRA convention in Texas days after massacre in Uvalde

What the Summit of the Americas means Jun 08, 2022

The Summit of the Americas. It’s when the leaders of all the nations of the Western Hemisphere get together every three to four years and and talk shop. This year’s edition is in the United States, for the second time ever — and the Summit will happen right here in Los Angeles.

Today, we get into this conference — how it began. What usually happens. And whether the U.S. wields the same influence in the Americas as it has for two centuries.

Read the full transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Washington D.C. correspondent Tracy Wilkinson

More reading:

Summit of the Americas opens in L.A. as U.S. grapples with deteriorating relations and influence

‘No more dictatorships’: The slogan that rings in the streets at the start of the Summit of the Americas

Summit of the Americas hobbles to its opening as Mexico’s president declines to attend

Welcome to Portugal, now go home Jun 07, 2022

Ocean breezes, mountain views, stunning architecture, great food. Fala vocé português? Even if you don’t; Portugal is it right now, and has been for years. But recently, more Americans and especially Californians are looking to make their vacations in the small European country permanent.

Today, why more Americans are trading in their SUVs and fast food drive-throughs for the affordable homes and easy living of Portugal. And what that means for local residents.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times European correspondent Jaweed Kaleem

More reading:

Welcome to Portugal, the new expat haven. Californians, please go home

These Californians relocated to Portugal. They share their stories

Goodbye, L.A. and San Francisco. Hello, Riverside and Central Valley. California moves east

Covering COVID on ‘sacred ground’ Jun 06, 2022

The U.S. has lost more than 1 million people to COVID — and the virus isn’t done with us yet. Frontline hospital workers have experienced the devastation up close and in real time. And for one L.A. Times photographer who documented the losses and wins against COVID, looking back at the images she captured and revisiting the hospital rooms where people fought for their lives — spaces a hospital chaplain now calls ‘sacred ground’ — has helped her process the pain and remember the moments of connection and hope.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times photojournalist Francine Orr

More reading:

The fight against COVID, a chaplain says, unfolded on ‘sacred ground’

U.S. reaches 1 million COVID deaths — and the virus isn’t done with us

Queer Ukrainians on the frontlines Jun 03, 2022

Ukraine was never a utopia for gays and transgender people, but activists there say things have improved over the years. Now, though, people are worried that Russia’s invasion could put all of that progress at risk. Today we talk to two LGBTQ+ Ukrainians, one who’s fighting against Russia for his country — and another who fled Ukraine but is continuing her fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Read the full transcript here.

Host: The Times: Daily News from the L.A. Times producer David Toledo

Guests: L.A. Times Latin America correspondent Kate Linthicum

A new militia at the U.S.-Mexico border Jun 02, 2022

Patriots for America patrols the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, stops migrants, and questions children. They call it faith-based ministry work; civil rights groups say they’re just another racist group of extremists. Today, we follow them in action. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Molly Hennessy-Fiske

More reading:

Texas border militia stops migrants and shoots video of kids. Rights groups say they’re racist

Texas militia sanctioned by sheriff seeks government support to halt flow of migrants

Minutemen Project begins recruiting volunteers to man U.S. border

California's historic water restrictions Jun 01, 2022

Unprecedented water restrictions in Los Angeles County are going to ensure the slow demise of lawns. And now, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is ready to deal green lawns a final blow. Today, how Southern Californians will have to get used to browner lawns — and why even that might not make a dent in a historic drought.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times water reporter Ian James

More reading:

Newsom urges aggressive water conservation and warns of statewide restrictions

California just adopted new, tougher water restrictions: What you need to know

California bans watering ‘nonfunctional’ grass in some areas, strengthening drought rules

The pickleball pickle May 31, 2022

It’s pitting neighbors against neighbors in suburbs across the United States. Tempers are flaring. Tension is high. And nope, all the drama has nothing to do with politics or COVID or any of the usual suburban suspects. The culprit now: pickleball.

Today, we serve you the rapid rise of a sport whose popularity boomed during the pandemic and the intense backlash rising right alongside it.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times investigative and enterprise reporter Connor Sheets

More reading:

Pickleball noise is fueling neighborhood drama from coast to coast

Pickleball is a godsend for older players. L.A. needs to fund new courts

Pickleball is a smash hit in SoCal. Now younger players are picking up the paddle

A visit to Vancouver's safe injection site May 27, 2022

Overdose deaths in the United States have risen rapidly during the pandemic. It’s a trend driven largely by the spread of fentanyl.

In California, the push to save lives and stop the fallout has led some activists and politicians to propose safe injection sites — places where people can take drugs with clean needles, without fear of arrest. There’s already one site like this operating in San Francisco.

But in Vancouver, Canada, there’s a neighborhood that has hosted a safe injection site for almost 20 years. In today’s episode, we go visit it.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times columnist Anita Chabria

More reading:

Column: Vancouver’s safe drug-use sites are wrenching to see. California should open them anyway

In a bid to stop overdose deaths, California could allow drug use at supervised sites

With overdose deaths rising, here’s how to test drugs for fentanyl

California’s gun control wars sway the U.S. May 26, 2022

Today we talk about California’s huge role in influencing gun control laws in the U.S. and about the backlashes. We discuss the state’s historic 1989 ban on assault weapons and why a federal judge issued an order to overturn that ban. And we talk to the mayor of San Jose, who wants his city to be the first in the United States to require gun owners to buy liability insurance.

Read the full transcript here.

An earlier version of this episode was published Aug. 23, 2021.

L.A. mayoral candidates debate homelessness May 25, 2022

Last week, we partnered up with KCRW for a live mayoral debate with some of the city’s top candidates for the top job.

It was the final group debate before the primary on June 7. And in it, three candidates talked a lot about a housing-first approach and took progressive stances on the issue of homelessness.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano and KCRW housing reporter Anna Scott

Guests: Rep. Karen Bass, L.A. councilmember Kevin de León, and activist Gina Viola

More reading:

With Caruso absent, L.A. mayoral candidates argue for progressive moves on homelessness

L.A. on the Record: Renters are getting short shrift in the mayor’s race, advocates say

L.A.’s mayoral candidates agree homeless encampments need to go. The question is how

Tijuana's toughest time May 24, 2022

In this episode of the “Border City” podcast from our sister paper, the San Diego Union-Tribune, longtime U.S.-Mexico border reporter Sandra Dibble brings us to an awful time for Tijuana: the three-year window from 2008 to 2010. Cartels ramped up violence to horrifying levels, targeting cops and doctors. Police tried to purge traitors from their ranks — and went too far. But through it all, the spirit of Tijuana stayed alive. In the darkness, there were still sparkles of music and art and joy.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Sandra Dibble

More reading:

Must Reads: Meth and murder: A new kind of drug war has made Tijuana one of the deadliest cities on Earth

Images from the front lines of Tijuana’s deadly drug war

Reporter’s Notebook: Behind the story: How The Times reported on Tijuana’s massive rise in homicides

Desperately seeking restaurant workers May 23, 2022

The pandemic has made a lot of us rethink a lot of things. On the forefront of that existential rethink: restaurant workers.
This realignment of priorities and personal interests drove lots of restaurant workers to quit. Now, two years after COVID-19 upended the restaurant industry, so many food spots are still short-staffed and help-wanted signs are seemingly everywhere. That's motivating employers to offer better pay, conditions and perks.
Today, L.A. Times business reporter Samantha Masunaga discusses why the labor shortage is still a big problem for restaurant owners across the country and how they can persuade workers to come back. Read the full transcript here.

ICE released dying detainees, avoiding responsibility May 20, 2022

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which detains hundreds of thousands of people nationwide, typically says fewer than a dozen detainees die in its custody each year. But if the agency releases a person in dire health, they're not in custody when they die — so ICE doesn't need to count that death.

Today, L.A. Times immigration reporter Andrea Castillo tells the stories of two people who were abruptly released by ICE just days before their deaths and pulls back the curtain on the system that allows this to happen. Read the full transcript here.

Cryptocurrency's addiction problem May 19, 2022

The ups and downs of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin can bring quick wealth — or quick bankruptcy. It's the hope for a huge payoff that keeps people hooked on these fluctuations, to the point where their attention turns to addiction.

Today, in the wake of the crypto market's recent crash, we look at how obsessing over digital currency can affect people and their lives.

Read the full transcript here.

How California popularized the Great Replacement May 18, 2022

On Saturday, a heavily armed 18-year-old white man rolled up to a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood of Buffalo, N.Y., and killed at least 10 people. The suspect is said to have committed the act to stop the so-called “Great Replacement,” a conspiracy theory that gained popularity among the far right across the world in recent years.

Its premise says that a secret cabal of elites are supposedly helping people of color take the place of white people. In the United States, the great replacement theory was turned into political strategy and policy long ago. And it started here, in California.

Today, we hear how the Golden State helped the fringe conspiracy go mainstream. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnists Erika D. Smith and Jean Guerrero

More reading:

Column: I’m part of the ‘great replacement.’ It’s not what believers say it is

Column: Buffalo shooting is an ugly culmination of California’s ‘Great Replacement’ theory

Column: How the insurrection’s ideology came straight out of 1990s California politics

Tijuana in the time of opera and cartels May 17, 2022

In the late 1990s, a turf war between the Arellano-Felix and Sinaloa cartels in Tijuana led to mayhem and corruption. But as the cartel-fueled violence continued, residents in the city lived their lives.

Sandra Dibble was a reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune at the time, and she treated her visiting mom to handmade corn tortillas, Cafe de la olla, and eggs drenched in mole in Tijuana’s upscale neighborhood. She took her brother to Tijuana’s famous Mercado Miguel Hidalgo to buy tamales. And she got on stage to play a noblewoman in a Tijuana Opera performance of “Romeo and Juliet.”

During the day, though, she reported on the mayhem. She talks about this dichotomy in Episode 5 of “Border City.” Read the transcript here.

Host: Sandra Dibble

More reading:

The collapse of Mexico’s ‘invincible’ drug cartel

Los Tucanes de Tijuana: Banned in their namesake border city

Arts are beginning to blossom in Tijuana

The Future of Abortion Part 3: Money May 16, 2022

Roe vs. Wade is expected to be struck down this summer, which would mean abortion will no longer be a federally protected right. If that happens, about half the states will probably ban abortion altogether, or make getting one a lot more difficult. But for those who live in Texas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, it’s already hard to get an abortion.

Today, we look at how Texas has made it nearly impossible for low-income women to get an abortion. And how other states want to copy that. Read the transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Houston Bureau Chief Molly Hennessy-Fiske

More reading and listening:

Even with Roe vs. Wade in place, low-income women struggle to get abortions in Texas

Podcast: Future of Abortion Part 1 | Medicine

Future of Abortion Part 2 | Church

Let's blame someone for California's drought May 13, 2022

It’s barely spring in 2022 and California has already broken record heat and drought levels never before seen in 1,200 years. Major reservoirs across the American West are at record lows. Groundwater is drying up. It’s projected to get even worse in the upcoming summer months. Come June 1, millions of Southern Californians will have to learn how to live with the region’s most severe water restrictions ever.

So who can we blame? Today, our Masters of Disasters tell us. Read the transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Rong-Gong Lin II, L.A. Times wildfire reporter Alex Wigglesworth and L.A. Times breaking news reporter Hayley Smith

More reading:

A drought so bad it exposed a long-ago homicide. Getting the water back will be harder than ever

It’s not even summer, and California’s two largest reservoirs are at ‘critically low’ levels

Your lawn will suffer amid the megadrought. Save money and put it out of its misery

Why U.S. women's sports stars play abroad May 12, 2022

The arrest in Russia earlier this year of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner made worldwide headlines. But few dug into why she was playing abroad in the first place.

Today, we hear how Griner is just one of many female athletes who find themselves abroad year after year to play the games they love, geopolitics be damned. All because they can’t get a fair wage in the United States. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times sports editor Iliana Limón Romero

More reading:

Brittney Griner’s arrest in Russia: What you need to know

WNBA to honor Brittney Griner with decal on teams’ floors

Commentary: Why Brittney Griner was in Russia, and what it says about women’s sports in the U.S.

The fight to use Mickey Mouse May 11, 2022

Mickey Mouse has been the mascot for Disney going back to the days of, well, Walt himself. But the copyright for the mouse that Disney has zealously guarded for decades is set to expire in just two years. That means the black-and-white version of Mickey Mouse depicted in “Steamboat Willie” would be in the public domain, where anyone can do anything with him and all of his magic and fame.

A group of Republicans, mad at some of Disney stances on social issues recently, want that to happen. Disney though, ain’t going to let Mickey go without putting up a hell of a fight. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times travel reporter Hugo Martín

More reading:

Republicans are trying to exterminate Mickey Mouse. Does anyone care?

Whose mouse is it anyway?

Disney Wins Big in Battle to Keep Company Icons

Disney Led Push to Add 20 Years to Copyrights

Russia's Syria playbook in Ukraine May 10, 2022

Aerial strikes, targeting civilians, cutting off supply chains: Russia’s brutal war tactics in Ukraine are shocking, but also hauntingly familiar. These are tactics the country has used before.

Six years before Russia launched its brutal attack on Ukraine, it began another horrific military operation in Syria. Today, we talk about what we can learn about Russia’s strategy in Ukraine from its involvement in Syria. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Middle East correspondent Nabih Bulos

More reading:

Syrian fighters ready to join next phase of Ukraine war

Humanitarian corridors, from Syria to Ukraine, explained

Russia has been Assad’s greatest ally — as it was to his father before him

California mulls a four-day workweek May 09, 2022

More and more companies worldwide are making the switch to a 32-hour work week. And in California, there’s even talk of making it the law. Today, we discuss what the State Legislature is discussing. And we hear from people at companies that already have done that. And guess what? Worker productivity, at least according to them, is as great as ever.

Read the transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times breaking news reporter Hayley Smith, and Andrew Barnes, 4 Day Week Global co-founder

More reading:

Proposed bill would shorten California workweek to 32 hours. Here’s what you need to know

Editorial: What if every week was a four-day workweek?

Working 7 to 5—Four days a week : Companies are increasingly turning to a compressed workweek to meet anti-pollution laws and to recruit workers.

A TikTok president for the Philippines May 06, 2022

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been campaigning to become the next president of the Philippines via the power of TikTok and other social media. And Bongbong’s whitewashing of his family’s violent past has him on the cusp of victory.

Today we go to the Philippines, where the presidential election is taking place next week. And we talk about how social media disinformation, yet again, might put a populist onto the global stage of power. Read the transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Asia correspondent David Pierson

More reading:

Dictator’s son uses TikTok to lead in Philippine election and rewrite his family’s past

Troll armies, a growth industry in the Philippines, may soon be coming to an election near you

The Marcos diary : A lust for power, an eye on glory

Cinco de Mayo forever May 05, 2022

We repeat our episode from last year on Cinco de Mayo because it’s that good. Axios reporter Russell Contreras takes us to the forgotten history of the holiday that’s more American than Mexican, and offers a case for why we should celebrate it. Read the transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: Axios reporter Russell Contreras

More reading:

If it’s Cinco de Mayo, the cooking should be Mexican

Op-Ed: Cinco de Mayo -- a truly Mexican American holiday

Five ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at home

L.A.’s election of rage May 04, 2022

On June 7, voters in Los Angeles will elect their preferred candidates in the primary. A couple of races — the mayor’s seat, L.A. County Sheriff, a possible recall of Dist. Atty. George Gascón — are earning national attention against a backdrop of voters angry with what they think is out-of-control crime and homelessness.

Today, we air a live panel on all this and more, originally held during the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith, L.A. Times mayor’s race reporter Julia Wick, and L.A. Times sheriff’s department reporter Alene Tchekmedyian.

More reading:

Rick Caruso’s campaign spending tops $23 million in L.A. mayor’s race

Column: Sheriff Villanueva acts like he’s above the law in L.A. County. What if he’s right?

First eyewitness account of Sheriff Villanueva lying in a cover-up revealed in filing

Tijuana's many, many sides May 03, 2022

In this installment of the podcast “Border City” from our sister paper, the San Diego Union-Tribune, longtime border reporter Sandra Dibble talks about what it was like covering the assassination of a police chief in Tijuana and the arrest of a powerful drug suspect.

She also moonlights as an opera singer in Tijuana, puts on a concert for friends from both sides of the border and navigates living a binational life after 9/11, which changed the flow of traffic from one side of the border to the other.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Sandra Dibble

More reading:

Listen to all the “Border City” episodes

The state of the streaming wars May 02, 2022

Streaming services were one of the few winners from the pandemic, especially Netflix. But the pandemic’s binge boom seems to have burst.

Today, the winners and losers in the streaming wars and how providers are handling the post-quarantine subscriber drop.

Read the transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times film business reporter Ryan Faughnder

More reading:

After Netflix’s week from hell, why streaming is becoming more like ‘just TV’

Same-day streaming film releases are ‘dead,’ cinema group leader says

Layoffs at Netflix have some staffers questioning company strategy and culture

What light rail will bring to South L.A. Apr 29, 2022

After South L.A. erupted in anger 30 years ago, government officials promised to end the community’s economic disparity once and for all, and invest. It’s a promise that many residents say remains unfulfilled. But is that finally going to change?

Today, Part Two of our L.A. riots anniversary coverage will focus on the Crenshaw Line, a light-rail system that some South L.A. leaders say will help the neighborhood improve — and others fear will bring gentrification.

Read the transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times business reporter Samantha Masunaga

More reading:

Facing schedule delays, L.A. Metro seeks $120 million more for Crenshaw Line

Meet six artists making the public art you’ll soon see on Metro’s Crenshaw/LAX Line

Opinion: The Crenshaw Line is a start, but L.A.'s most transit-dependent neighborhoods need more options

The L.A. riots, 30 years later Apr 28, 2022

April 29, 1992. A date that forever changed Los Angeles. Six days of chaos erupted after the acquittal of four police officers in the videotaped beating of Rodney King, an unarmed Black motorist. This is the first of two episodes on the 30th anniversary of the L.A. riots.

Today, Black, Latino and Asian communities reflect on the uprising. We also discuss the racial reckoning of the L.A. Times newsroom in its aftermath. Read the transcript.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnists Sandy Banks and Frank Shyong

More reading:

Column: What we got wrong about Black and Korean communities after the L.A. riots

Column: He was murdered during the L.A. riots. We can’t forget Latinos like him

The damage went deep

Black Twitter frets for its future Apr 27, 2022

For more than a decade, #BlackTwitter — a community of millions that has harnessed the power of the social media platform to create real-world change — has been a cultural phenomenon. But with Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter, many Black activists fret for the future of the space they created and say they might not stick around to see what changes the platform’s new owner will make.

Today, how Twitter’s influential Black community is reacting to the controversial new leader — and where Black online social activism might thrive next. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith

More reading:

Column: With Elon Musk in charge, it’s the beginning of the end for #BlackTwitter

Elon Musk reaches $44-billion deal to buy Twitter

Black Tesla employees describe a culture of racism: ‘I was at my breaking point’

Big Tobacco, Black trauma Apr 26, 2022

Menthol-flavored cigarettes have been controversial for decades, and the Food and Drug Administration is weighing a national ban on them. But tobacco companies are not a fan of losing out on millions of dollars with that possible move. So they’ve enlisted leaders in a community that has long been the biggest consumer of menthols: Black people.

Read the show transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times medical investigations reporter Emily Baumgaertner, and Ben Stockton of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

More reading:

How Big Tobacco used George Floyd and Eric Garner to stoke fear among Black smokers

Addicted to menthol: Big Tobacco’s targeting of Black communities could soon end

Op-Ed: Big Tobacco helped destroy Black Americans’ health. Banning menthols could help improve it

Helping and hoping in Ukraine Apr 25, 2022

As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its third month, ordinary Ukrainians continue to upend their lives to protect their homeland. Today, we’ll hear the stories of three Ukrainians who came to the aid of their country in its hour of greatest need.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Kate Linthicum

More reading:

Full coverage of the war in Ukraine

Ukraine war heroes: A student spiriting supplies to soldiers. A DJ answering calls about the missing

Ukrainian citizens trapped as Russia attacks hospitals, schools and refuses evacuations

Shanghai’s lockdown tests limits Apr 22, 2022

The strict lockdowns and zero-tolerance COVID policies that were once praised for keeping China largely infection-free; they’re back. And they’re now pushing people to their limits.

Today, how the recent lockdown in Shanghai is testing China’s zero tolerance strategy, and what it means for the country’s communist government. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times China correspondent Stephanie Yang

More reading:

Strain of Shanghai’s COVID lockdown tests China’s zero tolerance resolve

Human toll from Shanghai lockdown fuels public frustration

‘It’s a nightmare’: Hong Kong runs low on coffins as Omicron exacts deadly toll

Mexico's weird presidential self-recall Apr 21, 2022

Earlier this month, Mexico had an election. But it wasn’t business as usual. The vote was a first in Mexico — a recall referendum on the country’s president. The person pushing to recall the president … was the president himself.

Today we get into the curious history of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondents Leila Miller and Kate Linthicum

More reading:

Mexicans vote on whether to recall the president, an election he pushed for

López Obrador on track to retain control of Mexico’s Congress, but with reduced majority

Amid journalist killings, Mexican president tries to shame famous reporter who wrote about his son

The AriZona iced-tea 99-cent miracle Apr 20, 2022

Since AriZona iced tea launched in 1994, a can of the stuff has cost 99 cents. It’s a business anomaly, yet one that has turned the company into a multibillion-dollar outfit. And the owner vows to keep his iced tea at that price even during the worst inflation the United States has seen in 40 years, which is eating into the company’s revenue.

Today, we get into this odd business ideology.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times business reporter Sam Dean

More reading:

As inflation soars, how is AriZona iced tea still 99 cents?

Read the episode transcript

Tijuana sí! Apr 19, 2022

In Chapter 3 of “Border City,” a podcast from the San Diego Union Tribune and L.A. Times, Sandra Dibble continues her story about living and working as a journalist in Tijuana. It’s both sides of Tijuana that eventually make Sandra feel like she’s not just passing through anymore, but like she’s finally found her place and purpose.

From drug cartels, a kidnapping and an attempted murder of a journalist, to building real friendships, a surprise birthday party, tennis lessons, aerobics and intimate concerts in Tijuas, Sandra’s real-life experiences bring the border town’s sharp contrasts into focus — the bitter and the sweet.

Host: Sandra Dibble

More reading:

Jesus Blancornelas, 70; writer exposed actions of drug cartels

Here’s something you didn’t know about Tijuana: It’s a great weekend escape for food lovers

From the Archives: Amid all the bustle, Tijuana has classic lilts

Coachella 2022, Coachella forever Apr 18, 2022

Some of the biggest names in the music industry have played the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival since it debuted in 1999 on large grass fields out in the California desert. It turned into a global phenomenon and tastemaker in the process. But for the past two years, along with the rest of the live-music industry, Coachella went on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic...but it’s BACK.

Today, what Coachella’s return this past weekend and next weekend says about the state of the music industry.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times pop music reporter Mikael Wood

More reading:

Live updates from Coachella 2022

The best moments of Coachella 2022 in photos

Inside the Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia’s very last-minute Coachella collab

Future of Abortion Part 2: Church Apr 15, 2022

In anticipation of the Supreme Court making its landmark abortion decision this summer and very likely undoing Roe v Wade, The Times is looking at the issue from a number of perspectives. Today, we’ll tell the complicated story of how evangelicals mobilized around restricting abortion — and one women’s place in it all.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times national correspondent Jaweed Kaleem

More reading:

Read the L.A. Times’ “The Future of Abortion” series

As Supreme Court weighs abortion, Christians challenge what it means to be ‘pro-life’

The pastor thought Trump was ‘evil.’ So he quit his conservative church

The case that ended 'Mexican-only' schools Apr 14, 2022

In 1945, five families sued school districts in Orange County to challenge the practice of so-called Mexican schools, which kept Latino students from attending white schools with better resources. The daughter of one of the plaintiffs, Sylvia Mendez, has spent her retirement telling the story of the landmark desegregation case, which was decided 75 years ago on April 14, 1947.

But she goes from school to school talking about the importance of this case at a time when Latino students are, in many ways, more segregated than ever.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times education reporter Paloma Esquivel

More reading:

Mendez vs. segregation: 70 years later, famed case ‘isn’t just about Mexicans. It’s about everybody coming together’

Op-Ed: How Mexican immigrants ended ‘separate but equal’ in California

Westminster council takes steps to recognize historic civil rights case

Tijuana beyond the bad headlines Apr 13, 2022

When reporter Sandra Dibble started covering Tijuana in the 1990s, many of her stories dealt with violence and corruption in the city. But like most Tijuanenses, Sandra actually felt pretty. She didn’t let the terrifying headlines she was writing stop her from settling into her new life and exploring her adopted home of Tijuana.

Today, in the second episode of “Border City,” Sandra talks about that era and what she learned.

Host: Sandra Dibble

More reading:

Tijuana: Through a Mirror, Darkly

Tijuana killings may signal fall of Arellano Felix cartel

Making a Tijuana art scene built to last

Earth Day: Binge or cringe? Apr 12, 2022

In 1969, off California’s coast, an ecological disaster gained worldwide attention. The state’s largest oil disaster shocked a nation into action: It led to the creation of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and the passing of California’s Environmental Quality Act and the federal Environmental Protection Act. The catastrophe also inspired a day to reflect and learn about environmentalism — Earth Day.

But in a world where climate change is ravaging the earth, what good is just a day anymore?

Today, we get into Earth Day’s fails and wins.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Ron Lin, L.A. Times wildfire reporter Alex Wigglesworth and L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia

More reading:

Editorial: Happy 50th birthday, Earth Day

An Earth Day message for California: Move faster on climate change

8 ways to get active on Earth Day

Come fly the toxic skies Apr 11, 2022

An L.A. Times investigation found that jet engine oil can leak into the air supply of passenger planes, creating a toxic cocktail that can lead to health problems. It happens with an alarming frequency across all airlines — and that’s despite the airline industry and its regulators saying otherwise. The Times investigation just might result in real-world change.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times investigations reporter Kiera Feldman

More reading:

After Times investigation, Congress is moving to curb toxic fumes on airplanes

How toxic fumes seep into the air you breathe on planes

Smells on a plane: Have you been exposed to toxic chemicals while flying?

What COVID-19 wrought on Black men Apr 08, 2022

Black people are two and a half times more likely to be hospitalized, and 1.7 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than whites.

That stat from the CDC is shocking. But it’s not exactly surprising. Not to people like L.A. Times reporter Marissa Evans.

Her father, Gary Evans, is now one of nearly 97,000 Black people in America who’ve died from COVID-19 complications.

And while Marissa is willing to accept her father’s death, on today’s episode, she says she refuses to accept that losing all these Black men is normal ... or OK.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times healthcare reporter Marissa Evans

More reading:

The way we lose Black men never makes sense. Losing my father to COVID is another example

Black L.A. residents have highest COVID hospitalization rate: ‘A deplorable reality’

Op-Ed: A COVID diary: My Black family’s struggle with vaccine hesitancy

Welcome to Tijuana Apr 07, 2022

Reporter Sandra Dibble spent more than 25 years covering the U.S.-Mexico border for the San Diego Union-Tribune. And what she found out after her first day on the job is that Tijuana is ... complicated.

The impact of being home to the Western Hemisphere’s busiest border crossing — how the border has shaped Tijuana — is a big part of what Sandra spent her career digging into.

And she pulls all that work together in "Border City," a new eight-part narrative podcast series. Today, we air its debut episode.

Host: Sandra Dibble

More reading:

Border City: A podcast about beauty, violence and belonging in Tijuana from a journalist who spent more than 25 years reporting at the border

The Backstory: Sandra Dibble discusses “Border City,” her upcoming podcast about reporting in Tijuana

Opinion: After writing about Tijuana for decades, I can’t imagine my life without this city

The lawyer behind Trump's Jan. 6 attack Apr 06, 2022

Before Jan. 6, 2021, John Eastman was known as a fringe figure in conservative circles. But now, Eastman’s not so fringe anymore.

A California-based federal judge said Trump probably committed felonies in connection with the events of that day. And he says that Eastman was the person Trump chose to find “a coup in search of a legal theory.”

Today, in the second part of a miniseries on the Jan. 6 investigation, we get into Eastman’s career — and what his emails and actions on Jan. 6 might mean for Trump’s future.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Justice Department reporter Sarah D. Wire

More reading:

How a California lawyer became a focal point of the Jan. 6 investigation

Judge rules against Trump lawyer John Eastman in dispute with Jan. 6 investigators

John Eastman, Trump’s lawyer on overturning election, under investigation by California Bar

What's slowing down the Jan. 6 investigation Apr 05, 2022

Hundreds of people have been charged with federal crimes in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. The amount of evidence against many of the insurrectionists is growing. But sorting through it all has ground many of these criminal cases to a halt. Today, in the first of a two-part series on the Jan. 6 investigations, why it might take years to prosecute all the rioters who invaded the Capitol, and how difficult it will be to make charges stick.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Capitol Hill reporter Sarah D. Wire

More reading:

The evidence in the Jan. 6 investigations is overwhelming — literally

Jan. 6 defendant pleads guilty to a single charge after prosecutors forgot to indict him

Beverly Hills anti-vaccine doctor pleads guilty in Jan. 6 Capitol riot case

Goodbye, Title 42 Apr 04, 2022

Title 42 has plugged up the asylum system since it was put in place at the start of the coronavirus crisis. Since March 2020, U.S. border officials have used the policy to quickly remove migrants by sending them back to Mexico or to their home countries.

But now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says migrants are not a public health threat, so Title 42 will come to an end on May 23.

Today, we talk about the ramifications of the controversial public health order.

Guests: L.A. Times immigration reporter Andrea Castillo

More reading:

Biden administration could revoke controversial border policy blocking asylum in weeks

Biden administration announces asylum system overhaul: What you need to know

Fearing for their lives, Mexicans fled a gang-ruled town. Now they seek political asylum in California

The takedown of a dial-up drug network Apr 01, 2022

Beverly Hills resident Ray Mascolo died of a drug overdose in 2020. His passing led investigators to a sprawling, Hollywood-based drug-dealing network with a business model resembling a food-delivery app.

We tell this saga today.

Host: L.A. Times courts reporter Michael Finnegan

More reading:

How a man’s death in Beverly Hills exposed a sprawling Hollywood drug delivery business

California lawmakers target fentanyl as opioid overdoses surge

How drug overdose deaths surpassed 100,000 in one year

In praise of long-scorned Black women's hair Mar 31, 2022

When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the Oscars for a joke the latter made about the hairstyle of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, it brought forth the politics of Black hair, especially the hair of Black women. Long maligned, it’s getting more attention than ever, from the sisterlocks of prospective Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to anti-discrimination bills passed on the state and local level.

Today, we talk about the issue with two L.A. Times writers who bring their own personal history to the subject.

Host: L.A. Times D.C. reporter Erin B. Logan

Guests: L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith

More reading:

Column: Will Smith’s Oscars slap of Chris Rock settles it. We’re done with Black hair jokes

California becomes first state to ban discrimination based on one’s natural hair

The world of Black hair magic, according to an icon of L.A.’s hair avant-garde

A soldier's funeral in Ukraine Mar 30, 2022

L.A. Times foreign correspondent Patrick J. McDonnell has covered Ukrainian refugees flooding into Poland and the funerals for Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv. He’s heard from mayors urging Americans to approve a no-fly zone over Ukraine, and men returning to their country to fight on the front lines.

Today, we hear some of Patrick’s stories.

Guests: L.A. Times Mexico City bureau chief Patrick J. McDonnell

More reading:

A funeral for Ukraine soldiers brings war to small town

Refugee flows from Ukraine mount. Meantime, aid and would-be fighters head in other direction

In Ukraine, the flood of displaced people fleeing the war only grows

California tries to figure out reparations Mar 29, 2022

Two brothers near Sacramento are fighting for compensation for the land they say was taken from their formerly enslaved ancestors during the Gold Rush. Their story got pulled into an even bigger debate happening right now in California. A first-of-its-kind task force is trying to decide: Will the state pay reparations to Black people? And if so, who should get it?

Guests: L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith

More reading:

Column: They say California stole their ancestors’ land. But do they qualify for reparations?

Column: It’s a guaranteed income program, but think of it as a test case for reparations

California created the nation’s first state reparations task force. Now comes the hard part

A lot of magic with "Winning Time" Mar 28, 2022

“Binge Sesh” is a new L.A. Times podcast taking a deep dive into the television shows everyone is talking about. For its inaugural season, the series gets into the HBO show “Winning Time,” which talks about the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s who dominated the NBA with its Showtime approach to basketball.

Host: Matt Brennan and Kareem Maddox

Guests: Author Jeff Pearlman

More reading:

‘Winning Time’ began as the seminal book on the Showtime Lakers; it’s Hollywood now

How a pair of unknowns made themselves into Lakers legends for HBO’s next big drama

Four years. Four coaches. Inside the off-court drama that made the Showtime Lakers

An existential crisis for the Oscars Mar 25, 2022

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has added and subtracted elements to this year’s Oscars. A roundtable of L.A. Times film and television experts discuss those changes, plus offer up other commentary and criticism about this Sunday’s Academy Awards.

Today, we’ve got a special episode from our sister podcast, “The Envelope.”

Host: Mark Olsen

Guests: Justin Chang, Glenn Whip, Mary McNamara

More reading:

The Oscars are embracing better movies. The show acts like it’s embarrassed by them

How the Oscars have, and haven’t, changed since Halle and Denzel’s historic victories

Column: ‘Belfast’ isn’t my favorite movie in the Oscar race. But it gave me the most hope

Where's Jack? Mar 24, 2022

What lengths would you go to find someone you love? Even as their disappearance edges closer and closer to becoming a cold case? Today, we have the story of a family working to find their missing loved one.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Lila Seidman

More reading:

Was Jack here? A sister asks the beach community whether they’ve seen her missing brother

Help Find Jack Stein Facebook page

The medieval prince that Putin adores Mar 23, 2022

In the war for Ukraine, it’s Zelensky versus Putin. Two men with essentially the same first name fighting for their place in history — not just for their respective countries but for the ancestral roots that Russia and Ukraine share, and that both rulers claim to be the true defender of.

And a prince, who ruled more than 1,000 years ago — known in Russia as Vladimir the Great and in Ukraine as Volodymyr the Great — lies at the heart of that intertwined history. We get into that today.

More reading:

Putin’s rationale for Ukraine invasion gets the history wrong

Ukrainian Tales

In battle between Russia and Ukraine, even God is in dispute

Disney's stumbles on "Don't Say Gay" bill Mar 22, 2022

For the past two decades, Disney’s reputation in the LGBTQ community has been stellar. It was one of the first Fortune 500 companies to offer same-sex couple benefits. And tens of thousands of people attend their unofficial Gay Days. More and more out characters are appearing in television shows, movies and cartoons. But critics now say Disney has thrown away all that goodwill. Just another thing to blame on…Florida.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is feeling supreme Mar 21, 2022

Today, hearings will begin to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court to fill the seat of retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. Jackson’s a different type of judge, a Black woman for starters — she’d be the first ever on the Supreme Court — but she also brings unprecedented professional and life experiences. But even if she’s confirmed, how much influence can a history maker really have?

More reading:

Jackson supporters gear up to protect her historic Supreme Court bid from racist, sexist attacks

Biden nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court in historic pick

Column: The unsubtle racism of questioning Ketanji Brown Jackson’s qualifications

Townies versus gownies battle for Berkeley Mar 18, 2022

Thousands of students apply to UC Berkeley every year. It’s one of the most applied-to universities in the entire U.S. But the city of Berkeley is also emblematic of our nationwide housing crisis. Which is why residents and the university have been locked in a legal battle over enrollment numbers.

Today, we delve into the latest town-versus-gown throw-down.

More reading:

Lawmakers unveil rescue effort to help UC Berkeley avoid enrollment cuts after court battle

How much will UC Berkeley have to cut admissions after Supreme Court decision? What we know

UC Berkeley will meet court-ordered enrollment cap with online, deferred admission offers

Another scandal for L.A. Fire Department Mar 17, 2022

Last May, the Palisades fire ripped through the Santa Monica Mountains. About 1,000 people were put under mandatory evacuation orders, and about 500 homes were threatened by the flames. As that emergency was unfolding, the guy in charge of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s operations center overseeing the fire was allegedly intoxicated. That’s according to an investigation commissioned by city officials.

Today, we talk about what came next.

More reading:

LAFD chief deputy allegedly drunk during a major fire gets no discipline, $1.4-million payout

LAFD received complaints that a top official was drunk on duty. Some say it was covered up

Raging Palisades fire is a dangerous warning of California’s new year-round fire reality

China's influence grows in Central America Mar 16, 2022

There’s been a new Cold War brewing for years now between the United States and China. And a big battleground on that front is Central America.

Today, we look into how China’s billions of dollars and influence in Central America could strengthen a new generation of regimes hostile to the U.S.

More reading:

In Latin America’s new Cold War, will China lift up autocrats?

Taiwan loses one of its last diplomatic allies as Nicaragua recognizes China

Is China good for the Americas?

Hotel housekeeping is dirtier than ever Mar 15, 2022

Something disturbing has happened since the last time most of us took vacations — it’s getting harder to clean rooms because of COVID-19 protocols. Hotel workers say ever since the pandemic started, their work has been harder and dirtier than ever.

Today, we hear from one of those workers.

More reading:

How the pandemic made hotel housekeeping more difficult — and disgusting

Tourists are back: L.A. hotel bookings reach 100% of their pre-pandemic levels

‘Tsunami’ of hotel closures is coming, experts warn

Future of Abortion Part 1: Medicine Mar 14, 2022

Dr. Warren Hern has seen the past, present and future of the abortion debate in the United States. The Colorado doctor remembers treating women for illegal abortions, was there for the opening arguments of the landmark Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade — and now fears what might happen if it’s struck down.

Today, Dr. Hern talks about his career.

More reading:

As a med student, he saw women nearly die from illegal abortions. At 83, he sees no end to his work

60 hours, 50 abortions: A California doctor’s monthly commute to a Texas clinic

California plans to be abortion sanctuary if Roe vs. Wade is overturned

Ukraine, Russia and your gas tank Mar 11, 2022

Here in the United States, we’re already feeling the cost of Russia’s war in a place none of us can escape: the rising price of oil.

Today, we look into how global conflicts upend global energy supplies and efforts to fight climate change, how gas prices keep getting higher and might continue to rise, and what can be done about it.

More reading:

How high could gas prices go? More pain at the pump likely coming

Ukraine is a climate story. Because everything is a climate story

The truth about L.A.’s most notoriously expensive gas stations

One family's 27,000-mile road trip Mar 10, 2022

Greg Bledsoe is a former morning news anchor for NBC 7 in San Diego. About a year ago, he, his wife and their two children got into an SUV and began to drive. Forty-four states, more than 20 national parks and more than 27,000 miles later, they’re still at it.

Today, Greg shares with us some of their stories — and lessons.

More reading:

Follow the Bledsoes’ adventures on Instagram

Opinion: I live on the road with my wife and two young kids — and I highly recommend it

Coronavirus ruined our family vacation this year. We turned to an RV for a new adventure

500 miles to Kyiv Mar 09, 2022

For more than a month now, L.A. Times Middle East Bureau Chief Nabih Bulos has been on the ground in Ukraine, covering the escalating Russian invasion. Bulos has seen fierce fighting by Ukrainians, nonstop bombardment by Russians, hope and fear and chaos. He’s crisscrossed Ukraine to hear residents tell their stories.

Today, he talks to us about what he has seen.

More reading:

Raining rockets, scattered corpses, an existential battle: A 500-mile journey across a week of war

‘We’re keeping watch’: What foreign correspondents Nabih Bulos, Marcus Yam are seeing in Ukraine

Dead soldiers. An icy river. Ukraine town on the front lines prepares to battle Russians

Media bias, and refugees 'like us' Mar 08, 2022

The European Union is doing everything possible to welcome Ukrainian refugees. And people around the world have donated money and supplies to help. But this open-arms response has people in similar situations wondering: Why so much goodwill toward Ukrainians, and not us?

Today, we talk about the media’s role in deciding who is the “right” type of refugee — and how that helps or hinders displaced people around the world.

More reading:

In Ukraine reporting, Western press reveals grim bias toward ‘people like us’

20 years after 9/11, an American Muslim recalls the costs of war you didn’t see on TV

Trevor Noah slams media for racist remarks on Ukraine: War ‘was Europe’s entire thing’

History-making, Oscar-nominated Ariana DeBose Mar 07, 2022

Ariana DeBose has made history as the first Afro-Latino and openly queer woman to be nominated for an acting Academy Award. In this crossover episode with “The Envelope,” DeBose talks about the expectations she must carry, her experience with “West Side Story” and more.

More reading:

Ariana DeBose wants you to feel Anita’s presence before you even hear her

‘West Side Story’s’ Ariana DeBose makes the case against ‘ethnically ambiguous’

Here’s how Oscar nominee Ariana DeBose could make history

An American leaves Ukraine to return Mar 04, 2022

Aaron Bray is a San Diego native who’s lived the last couple of years in Kharkiv, Ukraine, after a stint with the Peace Corps. And now, alongside over a million Ukrainians and foreigners, he’s had to flee the country in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

Today, we hear Aaron’s first-person story about what it was like to leave his adopted home behind … and why he says he’s going back.

More reading:

Read the L.A. Times’ full coverage of the war in Ukraine

Costa Mesa couple barely escape Ukraine with days-old newborn

Commentary: ‘I’m scared, bro’: Inside Ukraine, through the harrowed eyes of two U.S. athletes

‘A lot of innocent people will die’: Ukrainians in California decry Russia’s attack

‘When there are troubles, we go to God’: Ukrainian Americans gather in grief at L.A. church

A homeless community that couldn't last Mar 03, 2022

A small, tight-knit community grew inside an abandoned building in L.A.’s Koreatown. The people who found shelter there felt lucky. In a city where unhoused people have to set up encampments wherever they can — in parks, on sidewalks, beneath freeway overpasses — this old building offered a real sense of home.

But the people who lived there knew their community couldn’t last.

More reading:

In an abandoned Koreatown building, homeless Angelenos create a community

‘Gimme Shelter’: The gap in California’s homelessness plan

‘Remember that can easily be you’: Angelenos closest to the homelessness crisis urge compassion

Russia and China, forever frenemies Mar 02, 2022

On Feb. 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping just hours ahead of the opening ceremony for the Beijing Winter Olympics. The meeting made headlines, and has people asking: Could China be the overlooked player in the Russia-Ukraine crisis?

Today, we dive into the complicated history between the two countries — and whether Russia’s moves on Ukraine might serve as a template with China and Taiwan.

More reading:

Beijing may be tempted to side with Putin in the Ukraine conflict. But at what cost?

Putin heads to China to bolster ties amid Ukraine tensions

Op-Ed: Whether it sides with Russia or not, China will pay a price

Mexico's lawsuit against American guns Mar 01, 2022

Gun violence has killed more than 100,000 people in Mexico over the last decade. Yet most of the guns involved are illegal, smuggled into the country from the U.S. Now, the Mexican government has had enough.

Today, we talk about a federal lawsuit filed by Mexico against American gun manufacturers that seeks to reduce the bloodshed.

More reading:

Column: Don’t shield U.S. gun makers from liability for Mexico’s gun violence

There is only one gun store in all of Mexico. So why is gun violence soaring?

Op-Ed: For Mexico, taking a stand against gun trafficking is a moral imperative

How workers evade vaccine mandates Feb 28, 2022

As more and more workplaces have instituted COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a cottage industry has sprung up to help skeptics evade them. Today, we look into what constitutes a deeply held religious belief, how those beliefs can play out in the workplace, and what employers can do about shady religious exemption requests.

More reading:

Online pastors, form letters: The cottage industry helping workers avoid vaccine mandates

New workplace mandate for COVID-19 vaccine pushed by California lawmakers

Column: L.A.'s unvaccinated public workers go Ayn Rand, throw fit over city’s vaccine mandate

Maggie Gyllenhaal on her directorial debut Feb 25, 2022

In this crossover episode with “The Envelope” podcast, Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks about “The Lost Daughter,” her directorial debut.

More reading:

Review: ‘The Lost Daughter’ is quintessential Maggie Gyllenhaal, even though she’s never on screen

Olivia Colman and Maggie Gyllenhaal dig into that ‘Lost Daughter’ ending

Maggie Gyllenhaal is a natural-born director. Netflix gives her the spotlight

How violence smashed Mexican avocados Feb 24, 2022

Americans eat billions of dollars of Mexican avocados every year. Demand is such that drug cartels and other criminal elements have muscled in on the business, centered around the Mexican state of Michoacán. This reality got worldwide attention Super Bowl weekend, when the American government announced it was temporarily suspending any avocado imports from Mexico.

Today, we talk about this development — and why Americans are so obsessed with avocados in the first place.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times Mexico correspondent Leila Miller, and L.A. Times acting deputy food editor Daniel Hernandez.

More reading:

Avocado imports from Mexico are blocked. What does that mean for you?

How we got to peak avocado: Super Bowls to Mexico’s drug cartels

Inside the bloody cartel war for Mexico’s multibillion-dollar avocado industry

Vladimir Putin's Ukraine obsession Feb 23, 2022

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his country would recognize the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine and send Russian troops there for “peacekeeping” purposes. The move immediately drew worldwide condemnation — but signaled the culmination of a decades-long desire by Putin to bring Ukraine closer to Russia’s control.

Today, we talk to our reporter on the ground about this past, what’s happening now — and what’s next.

More reading:

Russian troops move into eastern Ukraine, EU says, as fear of war grows

Artillery fusillades from Russian-backed separatists set Ukraine’s east on edge

Will war come to a town called New York in Ukraine?

Transgender drivers struggle to join Uber Feb 22, 2022

Uber’s under fire over its treatment of transgender drivers after the Los Angeles Times published a story about the alleged mistreatment.

Today, we’ll hear from the L.A. Times reporter who broke the story. And we’ll also hear more from an Uber driver who hopes other trans people won’t ever have to go through what she went through.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times business reporter Suhauna Hussain

More reading:

Uber blocks transgender drivers from signing up: ‘They didn’t believe me’

Uber faces ‘serious questions’ over transgender drivers’ treatment after Times report

Uber’s self-driving cars put tech’s ‘move fast, break things’ credo to the test

Saving segregated 'Mexican' schools Feb 18, 2022

Marfa, Texas, is known internationally for its arts scene. But on the south side of the city, there’s this old school. It’s a school where teachers once paddled Latino students for speaking Spanish. Now, some of those same students — grandparents and retirees in their 80s — are working to save the long-shuttered segregated Blackwell School and make it a national historic site to teach the history of segregated schools for Latinos in the United States.

This episode has been updated. An earlier version included audio of Jessi Silva describing an integrated school she attended in addition to the Blackwell School in Marfa, Texas. That school was in California, not Marfa.

More reading:

Saving the school where kids were paddled for speaking Spanish

Lorenzo Ramirez, late plaintiff in famed school desegregation case, honored by Orange

Mendez vs. segregation: 70 years later, famed case ‘isn’t just about Mexicans. It’s about everybody coming together’

Homeless prisoners of the suburban dream Feb 17, 2022

A new podcast series from KPCC and LAist Studios called "Imperfect Paradise: Home Is Life" zeroes in on the battles over homelessness in suburban communities. Today, we air Episode 2 of this three-part series, which focuses on an effort in 2018 to build housing for unhoused people in the Orange County city of Fullerton.

More reading:

Listen to “Imperfect Paradise”

Fullerton will start enforcing parking regulations on street where homeless live in RVs

‘No place to go’: Fullerton ordinance, on hold for now, could force out homeless living in RVs

California's death penalty flip-flops Feb 16, 2022

For decades, California voters and politicians have vacillated over the future of the death penalty. Currently, Gov. Gavin Newsom has put a moratorium on them and has ordered that death row at San Quentin State Prison — the largest in the United States — be emptied. Is this the end of the line for capital punishment in the Golden State — for real?

More reading:

California moves forward on plans to shut down death row

California is closing San Quentin’s death row. This is its gruesome history

Editorial: Dismantle death row, but don’t stop there

A labor union with your latte? Feb 15, 2022

The U.S. labor movement has experienced a resurgence in recent years in sectors that historically have hired younger people. And one of the biggest battlegrounds is where you get your lattes. Today, we’re taking you to a Starbucks in Santa Cruz, where workers are demanding more from their corporate employer.

This episode has been updated to clarify when the Starbucks store in Buffalo, N.Y. filed its union petition, who resigned at the Starbucks in Santa Cruz, Calif. and to include a response from a Starbucks spokesperson about the conditions at the Santa Cruz outlet mentioned.

More reading:

Starbucks workers at Santa Cruz store file union petition, joining a national push

Did baristas lose their jobs because of COVID-19 or because they tried to unionize?

Starbucks workers vote to unionize at a store in Buffalo, N.Y.

Black joy in Questlove's "Summer of Soul" Feb 14, 2022

The Roots drummer and music legend Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson sifted through 40 hours of archival footage of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival for his documentary, “Summer of Soul.” It was a festival where legends like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder performed in the same summer as Woodstock.

The film is now in the running for Best Original Documentary at this year’s Oscars. So today, we’re airing an episode with Questlove from our sister podcast, “The Envelope.”

More reading:

Review: ‘Summer of Soul’: A rousing cultural and musical revolution, now finally seen

Questlove’s ‘Summer of Soul’ is much more than a music documentary

Meet the archivist who saved the historic footage that became ‘Summer of Soul’

Will the Super Bowl change Inglewood? Feb 11, 2022

With more economic development and rents on the rise, Inglewood is struggling to meet its goal of encouraging more investment while trying to preserve one of California’s last remaining Black enclaves. Today, we examine this through the prism of SoFi Stadium, which is hosting the Super Bowl this Sunday.

More reading:

Op-Ed: For Inglewood, it won’t be a Super Sunday

‘A crisis for renters’: Football sent Inglewood home prices and rents skyrocketing

Must Reads: One of California’s last black enclaves threatened by Inglewood’s stadium deal

Let's get loud, Super Bowl halftime show Feb 10, 2022

Even if you don’t like football, you probably have opinions about the Super Bowl halftime show. Today, we look at the history of this curious spectacle, from its humble beginnings to the mega-star extravaganzas of today. And along the way, we’ll take a look at how this roughly 15-minute intermission became an unlikely reflection of American culture.

More reading:

At SoFi Stadium, Dr. Dre assembles a hip-hop dream team for Super Bowl halftime show

Janet Jackson says she and Timberlake ‘have moved on’ from Super Bowl scandal

Adam Levine thanks you for hating Maroon 5’s Super Bowl performance

Why the NFL doesn't hire Black coaches Feb 09, 2022

In a league where Black players make up 70% of active rosters, the NFL currently has only two Black head coaches. League officials and even fans have offered all sorts of excuses about this discrepancy for decades. But now there’s an explosive federal lawsuit about the matter. It was filed this month by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. In it, he puts this persistent and longstanding problem on stage.

Today, we dive into why the NFL just can’t seem to hire Black head coaches.

More reading:

Seven things you need to know about Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL

Op-Ed: The NFL fails on Black leadership. So do most institutions in America

Column: Brian Flores’ lawsuit features memorable receipts that could force the NFL to change

The triple terror of tsunamis Feb 08, 2022

For the latest installment of our “Masters of Disasters” series, we talk tsunamis in the wake of a volcanic eruption near Tonga last month that caused waves felt across the Pacific. There was none of the devastation like the world saw in Fukushima in 2011, or across the Indian Ocean in 2004. But what happened in Tonga got us thinking: How are the effects of tsunamis so devastating, yet so little is known about them?

More reading:

The tsunami that battered Santa Cruz highlights the threat facing California’s coast

Can a tsunami happen in Southern California? What should you do about it?

Surprising tsunami triggers may lurk off California’s coast, scientists say

We enter the metaverse — and return Feb 07, 2022

Everybody is talking about the metaverse right now. But Times host Gustavo Arellano didn’t want to just talk about it; he wanted to experience it firsthand.

And so off he went inside the metaverse with a guide. Is it all it’s cracked up to be?

More reading:

Explainer: What is the metaverse and how will it work?

Want to glimpse our metaverse future? Theme parks are already on the case

Op-Ed: Mark Zuckerberg makes a ‘mwahahaha’ metaverse move

When cars on autopilot crash — and kill Feb 04, 2022

A first-of-it’s kind case in Los Angeles County is going to play a big role in determining culpability whenever self-driving cars get into accidents. Prosecutors have charged a driver with felony manslaughter after his Tesla crashed into a car in 2019, killing two people. The accused was in the driver’s seat, but prosecutors say his Tesla … was on autopilot.

More reading:

A Tesla on autopilot killed two people in Gardena. Is the driver guilty of manslaughter?

Are self-driving cars safe? Highway regulator orders industry to cough up the data

Why do Tesla cars keep crashing into emergency response vehicles? Federal safety agency is investigating

No freedom gold medal for you, Olympics Feb 03, 2022

There’s a growing realization that the brilliance of the world’s best athletes isn’t enough anymore to cover some glaring problems that come with putting on the Olympics every two years.

The International Olympics Committee has always claimed the Games are about promoting goodwill and celebrating the brotherhood of mankind. But as it turns out, not only do Olympics not do that, they tend to make democratic states… more authoritarian.

So what does that mean for the Games coming to Los Angeles in 2028?

Guests: Human Rights Watch China Director Sophie Richardson, and Pacific University political science professor Jules Boykoff

More reading:

The ‘Feel Guilty Games’?: China human rights issues have forever marked the Beijing Olympics

2028 L.A. Olympics: Agreement outlines key issues but final price tag remains unclear

Op-Ed: Tokyo’s Olympics have turned nightmarish. L.A., are you watching?

Mexico's murdered journalists Feb 02, 2022

Mexico trails just Syria and Iraq as the deadliest country in the world to be a journalist. That’s according to data collected from 2000 through 2022 by the Committee to Protect Journalists. And the Mexican government has done little to stop it.

But in the wake of the murder of four reporters so far this year — José Luis Gamboa, Margarito Martínez Esquivel, Lourdes Maldonado López and Roberto Toledo — Mexican journalists are openly criticizing President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador and government officials like never before.

More reading:

Journalists throughout Mexico say enough to killings and crimes against press

Photojournalist shot to death outside his home in Tijuana

She told Mexico’s president she feared for her life. Then she was killed

Tet, today and yesterday Feb 01, 2022

Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a national holiday, not just in Vietnam but all over the world wherever Vietnamese may be. And in the United States, red envelopes filled with money, special dishes and other traditions have become a part of life in major American cities such as San Jose, Houston and especially in Orange County, which is home to the largest Vietnamese expat community in the world.

Today, we talk about Tet memories and its evolution with the authors of the recently released “The Red Boat Fish Sauce Cookbook.”

More reading:

Buy “The Red Boat Fish Sauce Cookbook”

A new nuoc mam: Red Boat ‘first press extra virgin’ fish sauce

Gifts for food lovers: Red Boat fish salt, kids chef caddy, cooking classes

Home was where the freeway is Jan 31, 2022

In Santa Monica during the 1950s and ‘60s, city leaders evicted hundreds of Black families to build what ended up being the 10 Freeway. But now, in an act of civic penance, Santa Monica is trying to bring some of those families back. It comes at a time when municipalities across the United States are reckoning with their racist actions from the past.

We’ll talk about Santa Monica’s attempt to redress a historical wrong. And we’ll also talk to a woman whose family was one of many Black households that Santa Monica wants to make right by.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times housing reporter Liam Dillon, and Santa Monica native Nichelle Monroe

More reading:

Santa Monica’s message to people evicted long ago for the 10 Freeway: Come home

Freeways force out residents in communities of color — again

Tour Santa Monica’s once-vibrant Black neighborhoods, nearly erased by racism and ‘progress’

The Blur guy insulted a pop star. The reaction? Swift Jan 28, 2022

It was the Taylor Swift diss heard around the world. “She doesn’t write her own songs.” That’s what Damon Albarn, the lead singer for the British bands Blur and Gorillaz said to L.A. Times pop music critic Mikael Wood.

The drama between Taylor and Damon got real. But it also hit on something really interesting — songwriting, and who gets the credit for it, is a thing … now more than ever.

More reading:

For Damon Albarn, modern life is still pretty much rubbish

Column: Taylor Swift slapped back for all the women who have been told ‘you didn’t write that.’

After insulting Taylor Swift, Damon Albarn says he was cast into ‘social media abyss’

The Omicron kids Jan 27, 2022

Just when it seemed schools and parents and teachers were figuring out how to do in-person learning again, Omicron hit.

The highly contagious variant really blew up while schools were on winter break in California. So when schools reopened and students returned, there were problems.

Today, we hear from a parent and high school students who are trying to navigate their teenage years while worrying about COVID-19.

More reading:

California schools under intense strain, fighting to stay open during Omicron surge

Amid high absenteeism, incoming L.A. schools chief says campuses are safe

Omicron surge anxiety, absences and confusion mark first day of new LAUSD semester

A comic and COVID walk into a cruise ship ... Jan 26, 2022

On New Year’s Day, comedian Jen Murphy boarded a cruise ship out of Miami and got ready to perform for 1,800 people. She never did end up getting on that comedy stage, though. Instead, she ended up getting trapped in a COVID cruise quarantine.

Today, Murphy gives us a hilarious and intense look into why she got on a cruise ship in the middle of the pandemic in the first place and what she learned from it.

More reading:

Shame and fish filets: Diary of a comedian trapped in COVID cruise ship quarantine

Cruise passengers share what it’s like to be on a ship with COVID cases

Visit Jen Murphy’s website

A new Honduras president-elect is set to make herstory Jan 25, 2022

Xiomara Castro is about to be inaugurated as the first-ever female president of Honduras. But la presidenta has a daunting task in front of her. Her countrymen continue to leave the nation, tired of poverty, government corruption and violence.

And the legislative majority she was counting on to help her reform Honduras is now gone.

Today, we’ll talk about how Castro promises to solve her country’s problems. But, in light of what’s happening right now in the National Congress of Honduras, will she even get a chance?

More reading:

Honduran Congress splits, threatens new president’s plans

Kamala Harris headed to Honduras for inauguration of country’s president

La diáspora hondureña en EE.UU mira a Xiomara Castro como el ‘cambio’ y la ‘esperanza’

An Indigenous language, back from the brink Jan 24, 2022

Native American culture and history have long been ignored or romanticized as vestiges of a lost people — or both.

The Serrano people of Southern California have seen their Indigenous language nearly vanish. But tribe member Ernest Siva has been working to save it. Among his efforts: The octogenarian contributes to Cal State San Bernardino’s language program.

Then, 25-year-old Mark Araujo-Levinson found the classes through a Google search — and started making YouTube videos of himself learning the language.

Today, we hear their voices. And L.A. Times Metro reporter Nathan Solis takes us through their story and how their efforts have gained momentum.

More reading:

The Indigenous Serrano language was all but gone. This man is resurrecting it

San Bernardino County recognizes Serrano language and museums sitting on tribal land

Tongva, Los Angeles’ first language, opens the door to a forgotten time and place

Standing up for Black lives at the border Jan 21, 2022

Felicia Rangel-Samponaro used to live a fairly normal life as a suburban stay-at-home mom in the border city of Brownsville, Texas. But now the half Black, half Mexican-American mom crosses the border to help Black and Latino migrants, many of them asylum seekers stuck in camps in the border town of Reynosa, Mexico.

Today, we hear her story.

More reading:

The woman defending Black lives on the border, including her own

Podcast: Our nation’s Haitian double standard

Podcast: Biden shut a migrant camp. Then this bigger one appeared

Where carne asada is a crime Jan 20, 2022

For over 140 years, street vendors hawking Mexican food have been a staple of life in Southern California. Horse-drawn tamale wagons turned into taco trucks, turned into hot dog carts, turned into pop-up tents — …and, eventually, hipsters caught on and these trends went national.

But even as SoCal has become famous worldwide for its street food scene, government officials have amped up their war on it.

Today, we examine one city’s crackdown on street vendors. And we also talk to an East L.A. taquero affected by code enforcement.

More reading:

Column: He’s L.A. food royalty. He began with a taco cart. Let street vendors thrive

Anaheim teams with county to take down taco stand pop-ups

Where to get beef birria, and a haircut. Seriously.

An American West with no snow? Jan 19, 2022

This past December brought record-high amounts of snow to the Sierra Nevada, California’s main mountain range. The state, of course, has suffered for years from bad, bad drought, so we should all be happy that the dry days are over with all this snow, right? In fact, those who monitor such things are saying we should be saving water more than ever. Because there’s a real possibility that one day, blizzards in the West might be gone. Today, our Masters of Disasters reconvene to talk about this possible future.

More reading:

A ‘no snow’ California could come sooner than you think California is suddenly snow-capped and very wet.

But how long will the water rush last?

Editorial: Welcome the bout of winter storms, just don’t call them drought busters

The pandemic will end. We promise. Jan 18, 2022

The COVID-19 era is rough, to say the least. But let’s put it in perspective. Every pandemic ends eventually, and this one will too.

Today, assistant editor Jessica Roy with the L.A. Times’ utility journalism team walks us through a century of past pandemics — from the 1918 flu to SARS — and the different ways they resolved, and she describes what’s likely to happen in our future.

Then medical historian Frank Snowden, a professor emeritus at Yale, reaches further back to explore how pandemics have changed society and what we’ve learned from them.

More reading:

Will this pandemic ever end? Here’s what happened with the last ones

CDC shifts pandemic goals away from reaching herd immunity

From the archives, April 2020: From the Black Death to AIDS, pandemics have shaped human history. Coronavirus will too

Nikole Hannah-Jones on her triumphs and trolls Jan 17, 2022

Two years ago, Nikole Hannah-Jones launched “The 1619 Project,” a collection of New York Times Magazine articles, photography and podcasts. That project became a launching point to talk about Black people’s roles in shaping the United States. Hannah-Jones has been praised and vilified for her work ever since.

Today, we share highlights from a L.A. Times Book Club chat between Hannah-Jones and L.A. Times executive editor Kevin Merida. They talked about how Black people can be patriotic despite centuries of mistreatment … and about using mountains of research to get back at haters.

More reading:

Nikole Hannah-Jones dives into the origins and language of ‘The 1619 Project’

Nikole Hannah-Jones became a political target. What she’s learned from the ‘hurtful’ attacks

Howard-bound Nikole Hannah-Jones plans to ‘even the playing field’ for HBCUs. Here’s how

The tragedy of Latinos and COVID-19 Jan 14, 2022

COVID-19 has been devastating for everyone, but in the United States, there’s one demographic hit particularly hard: Latinos. According to the California Department of Public Health, Latinos make up about 39 percent of the state’s population but nearly half of all cases and 45 percent of all deaths. A perfect storm of factors made Latinos especially vulnerable to the coronavirus: Multigenerational households. Crowded neighborhoods. Essential jobs that required us to show up in person. Vaccine hesitancy among too many. Today, we hear about the devastation.

More reading:

Pandemic portraits: The Latino experience

COVID stole the heart of my family. It also divided it

Column: Don’t be a ‘pandejo.’ Take the pandemic seriously

Chuck E. Cheese forever Jan 13, 2022

How the hell does a chain based on an orphaned mouse who plays in a band survive and thrive? Very carefully. Today, we’ll talk to L.A. Times business reporter Samantha Masunaga about the company, and we’ll hear from its new chief executive about everything Chuck E. Cheese, including its infamous animatronic band.

More reading:

How do you make a 44-year-old animatronic rodent appeal to today’s kids?

Chuck E. Cheese unveils a new look for its mousy mascot

Listen to Chuck E. Cheese's Spotify playlist

Work from home, get spied on by your boss Jan 12, 2022

A Gallup poll last fall found that 45% of full-time U.S. employees were still working from home at least some of their hours. A full quarter of them exclusively work from home. Because of this, companies are increasingly using technology to monitor the activities of their workers while they’re on the clock, wherever they are.

Today, we examine how and why companies are spying on their workers at home… and whether there’s a backlash coming.

More reading:

Is your company secretly monitoring your work at home?

Since COVID, the practice has surged

How your employer can keep track of your work at home So your employer is monitoring you. What you should know

Issa Rae, take a bow Jan 11, 2022

Issa Rae is the brilliant, hilarious mind behind the recently concluded HBO show “Insecure.” In this crossover episode with The Envelope, Rae talks about the incredible trajectory of her career, from a YouTuber turned Hollywood powerhouse, and how she repped South Los Angeles in a way that wasn’t just real but uplifting.

More reading:

Issa Rae almost ended ‘Insecure’ differently. But she couldn’t ‘deny Issa her soulmate’

Issa Rae on the music business: ‘It’s an abusive industry... it needs to start over’

How ‘Insecure’ achieved its ‘mission’ to forge a real bond with South L.A.

Goodbye, gas stoves? The fight heats up Jan 10, 2022

To fight climate change, municipalities across the United States are banning natural gas lines from being installed in new buildings. That means no gas stoves. Politicians and policymakers in those places — Berkeley being one of the first — want people to use electric appliances, such as electric stovetops or the more advanced induction stovetop. (There’s a health factor too. Open flames put out some gases you might not want to breathe.)

But the natural gas industry is fighting back. Today, L.A. Times national correspondent Evan Halper talks about the multimillion-dollar battle being fought between gas companies and municipal and state governments. And that battle is being waged in your kitchen.

More reading:

Clash of the kitchens: California leads the way in a new climate battleground

Video: Would you get rid of your gas stove and go electric?

California ditched coal. The gas company is worried it’s next

California crime waves, real and imaginary Jan 07, 2022

It’s been a season of crime in California. Smash-and-grab thefts, follow-home robberies, high-profile murders — national, even international news accounts have painted a Golden State of chaos.

The numbers tell a different story: Some major crime indicators are up, but others are down, and they’re nowhere near historical highs. But that reality isn’t placating anyone. And when Californians get mad about crime — watch out, America.

Today, L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith discusses California’s legacy of crackdowns. And business reporter Sam Dean discusses how some stores may be taking advantage of public fear.

More reading:

Column: Don’t let Jacqueline Avant’s shooting get pulled into L.A.'s crass politics of crime

San Francisco confronts a crime wave unusual among U.S. cities

Retailers say thefts are at crisis level. The numbers say otherwise

The rising left in South America Jan 06, 2022

Across Latin America, the political left is making a comeback not seen since the 2000s. Izquierdista presidential candidates won recent elections in Peru and Honduras. Activists are mounting protests against the conservative presidents of Brazil and Colombia.

The left’s biggest win so far is in Chile, where Gabriel Boric was elected president last month. He’ll take office in a country that’s about to rewrite its constitution, which was put into place by dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Today, L.A. Times Mexico City bureau chief Patrick J. McDonnell and Universidad de Chile professor Claudia Heiss speak with us about this “pink tide” and what it could mean for a region coming to terms with soaring inequality, a legacy of colonialism and a bloody, authoritarian history.

More reading:

Leftist lawmaker Boric wins polarized election in Chile, to become nation’s youngest president

Chile’s new president (Taylor’s version): Gabriel Boric is a Swiftie

Chileans approve rewriting of constitution in landslide vote

The next pandemic is already lurking Jan 05, 2022

Hopefully the COVID-19 nightmare will soon wane, but it’s unlikely to be the last pandemic of our lifetimes. Because the virus that will cause the next pandemic is probably already out there.

Animals carry hundreds of thousands of viruses that have the potential to infect humans. Buffer zones between where people live and where wild animals live lower the risk of viruses jumping from another species to our own. But now human behaviors such as deforestation and urbanization, along with climate change, are erasing those zones.

Today, L.A. Times foreign correspondent Kate Linthicum, who recently traveled to the Amazon rainforest, and national correspondent Emily Baumgaertner, who focuses on medical investigations, explain the issue. And they talk about ways to solve the problem — or at least dial down the risks.

More reading:

Where will the next pandemic begin? The Amazon rainforest offers troubling clues

Op-Ed: What it will take to keep the next pandemic at bay

Letters to the Editor: Want to help prevent the next pandemic? Go vegan

Locked in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 Jan 04, 2022

Los Angeles Times congressional correspondent Sarah D. Wire knew she was in for a historic day when she walked into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. She was there to cover the counting of the electoral college votes for the 2020 presidential election.

Because of then-President Trump’s allegations of election fraud, she was expecting controversy. But she didn’t expect to be caught in the middle of an insurrection.

Today, Sarah tells us about the day a mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol, and she shares never-before-heard interviews with the Congress members who sheltered with her for hours. It’s a glimpse into the minds of our lawmakers as they worried for their lives while chaos invaded the seat of American democracy.

More reading:

I’m in a roomful of people ‘panicked that I might inadvertently give away their location’

Jan. 6 committee prepares to go public as findings mount

Column: The Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was bad. It may have set the stage for worse

What's the L.A. Times going to do in 2022? Jan 03, 2022

Kevin Merida became the Los Angeles Times’ executive editor last summer at a tumultuous time. Newsroom morale was down, the publication had lost $50 million in 2020, and several of his recent predecessors hadn’t endeared themselves to staffers. So what drew him to the job?

Today, Merida reflects on the first six months of his tenure, talks about his vision for the L.A. Times and answers the eternal Southern California question: What does he think about In-N-Out?

More reading:

ESPN’s Kevin Merida named L.A. Times executive editor

‘I see nothing but opportunity.’ Meet L.A. Times’ new top editor Kevin Merida

Video: Kevin Merida takes helm of L.A. Times

Make way for women, LGBTQ and POC skateboarders Dec 30, 2021

Skateboarding is a mainstay of California street culture, from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond. It’s so popular that L.A. County filled outdoor skateparks with sand earlier in the pandemic so no one could grind on them.

But during the pandemic, skateboard sales surged — and communities long marginalized from the sport are now making their own spaces.

Today we talk to reporter Cerise Castle, who’s covering and participating in this rise, and skateboarders from various parts of America — including Washington, D.C., and the Navajo Nation — tell us why they skate.

An earlier version of this episode was published Nov. 5, 2021.

More reading:

Skating can be a bridge in L.A. These 3 crews show how bonds form on four wheels

Skateboarding improves mental health, helps build diverse relationships, USC study says

From the archives: Skateboarders in urban areas get respect, and parks

How one mom learned to stop worrying and love video games Dec 29, 2021

Video games had always been a point of division between L.A. Times science reporter Deborah Netburn and her 12-year-old son. Then the pandemic hit, and the gap between them seemed to widen.

Today, Netburn shares her journey from ignorance to understanding. She did it by playing the games.

An earlier version of this episode was published May 7, 2021.

More reading: Video games came between me and my son in the pandemic. Could they bring us back together?

The Chinese Communist Party and me, Part 2 Dec 28, 2021

This year, the Chinese Communist Party kicked off its 100th anniversary by celebrating China’s economic success and ambitions to create a new world order. The festivities, of course, are carefully choreographed. For decades, the Communist Party has crushed any counter-narratives to promote a whitewashed version of Chinese history. Those who deviate from the party’s official narrative suffer retribution — and in recent days, records of that punishment have been expunged as well.

Today, we focus on a newly revised volume of Communist Party history that aims to airbrush its past for a younger generation who have come of age in a tightly controlled social environment. And we highlight the young activists who are trying to bring attention to this whitewashing — and are getting jailed or exiled for doing so. Our guest is L.A. Times Beijing bureau chief Alice Su.

An earlier version of this episode was published July 2, 2021.

More reading:

As Communist Party turns 100, China’s Xi rallies his compatriots and warns his critics

He tried to commemorate erased history. China detained him, then erased that too

China offers a minority a lifeline out of poverty — but what happens to its culture?

The Chinese Communist Party and me, Part 1 Dec 27, 2021

Two years ago, the world watched as millions of people in Hong Kong marched in the streets to call for autonomy from China. Beijing responded by passing a national security law last summer that broadly defined acts of subversion, foreign collusion and terrorism. Critics say the law crushed civil liberties. Since it was enacted, many people have fled Hong Kong — some to neighboring Taiwan. Yet Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as its territory, is at risk as well.

Today, we start a two-part series on the Chinese Communist Party’s ambitions as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. This episode gets into the continued crackdown on freedom and democracy in Hong Kong, where authorities have arrested thousands of pro-democracy activists and shut down a major daily newspaper. We’ll also discuss China’s growing threats to absorb Taiwan. Tomorrow, how the Chinese Communist Party is rewriting China’s history.

An earlier version of this episode was published July 1, 2021.

More Reading

Beleaguered pro-democracy Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily says it’s closing down

As democracy fades, Hong Kong’s political opposition become political prisoners

The most important company you’ve never heard of is being dragged into the U.S.-China rivalry

QAnon disrupts the yoga and wellness worlds Dec 23, 2021

QAnon or New Age? Increasingly, in California’s vast health, wellness and spiritual worlds, there's an intersection between the two communities so pronounced that the phenomenon has a new nickname: “Woo-Anon,” and it’s coming to a yoga studio near you.

Today, we speak with L.A. Times investigative reporter Laura J. Nelson and yoga instructor Seane Corn about the growing movement, as well as the broken friendships and business partnerships that are happening in a once-placid scene.

An earlier version of this episode was published July 13, 2021.

More reading:

California’s yoga, wellness and spirituality community has a QAnon problem

‘Woo-Anon’: The creep of QAnon into Southern California’s New Age world

Former La Habra police chief, now yoga instructor, indicted on Capitol riot conspiracy charges

On track to become a doctor — or not Dec 22, 2021

For a few days this week, we’re highlighting the work of students from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Maya Abu-Zahra started college with every intention of becoming a doctor. But about half of pre-med students end up choosing a different path. Today, she brings us down two of those paths, speaking with former pre-meds who ended up in very different careers.

Hollywood, here comes Madison Dec 21, 2021

For a few days this week, we’re highlighting the work of students from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Today, Jillian Carmenate introduces us to her older sister, Madison, who’s forging into the entertainment industry. Madison Carmenate hopes to create movies and TV shows that feature people with disabilities, like her — and like a full quarter of U.S. adults.

More reading:

How entertainment professionals with disabilities are fighting for inclusion

This manager is working toward diversity in Hollywood — and that includes those with disabilities

Hollywood’s reluctance to welcome disability shuts out a lot of fresh talent and stories

When the labels don't feel right Dec 20, 2021

For a few days this week, we’re highlighting the work of students from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Today, Cari Spencer guides us through her journey of figuring out her identity. Half Taiwanese and half white, she felt all her life that she had to “pick a side” — or that she wasn’t enough of one thing or the other. Then she found another option.

Host: USC student Cari Spencer

More reading:

Five takeaways from the new U.S. census data

From the archives, 2001: Census’ multiracial option overturns traditional views

Hey, it's our holiday special Dec 17, 2021

Today we’re doing something a little different: channeling our inner holiday spirit and sharing stories from some of our awesome colleagues across the L.A. Times newsroom.

They submitted stories about losing a loved one to COVID-19. Finding new ways to bond with family. Reconnecting with choirmates after months of virtual performances. And the exploits of one seriously sassy pet rabbit. (Thank you, Steve Padilla, Karen Garcia, Wendy Lee and Jazmín Aguilera!)

We at The Times have been working remotely throughout the pandemic, and we miss chitchatting with coworkers. Hearing these stories is kind of like kicking back at an old-school office potluck and catching up. It made us feel good and cheery. We hope it does the same for you.

More reading: Just some holiday stuff to set the mood

The L.A. Times 2021 holiday cookie recipes

8 fun, festive and free phone and Zoom backgrounds made by L.A. artists

How to handle another COVID holiday season

Vicente Fernández, the King Dec 16, 2021

His nicknames: El Hijo del Pueblo — the People’s Son. El Ídolo de México — Mexico’s Idol. El Rey — the King. Or just plain Chente.

Ranchera legend Vicente Fernández passed away this week at age 81, and millions of his fans in the U.S., Mexico and beyond are mourning a man who was their soundtrack of love and sadness and resistance for over half a century.

Today, L.A. Times journalists who grew up with Chente’s music — host Gustavo Arellano, deputy sports editor Iliana Limón Romero, video journalist Steve Saldivar and culture writer Daniel Hernández — talk about his legacy. We even sing some of his songs — badly.

More reading:

Vicente Fernández, a Mexican musical icon for generations, dies at 81

Column: Vicente Fernández’s journey was our parents’ journey. Long may they live

Appreciation: 10 essential songs of ranchera legend Vicente Fernández

We (kinda) gift you a box of See's Candies Dec 15, 2021

Need a quick, yummy gift for Christmas or any other occasion? For generations of Californians, the answer has been a box of See’s Candies. With stores that sport a black-and-white checkerboard design and offer a galaxy of sweets — chocolates, peanut brittle, butterscotch lollipops — the South San Francisco-based company is nostalgia in a box or bag.

Today, L.A. Times food columnist Jenn Harris talks with host Gustavo Arellano about See’s on the occasion of the chain’s 100th anniversary. And you'd better believe some taste tests are involved. (What’s that white-chocolate one that Gustavo has never liked?)

More reading:

Is See’s Candies the best in the world? It’s certainly the most memorable

Everything you ever wanted to know about See’s Candies

Timeline: 100 years of See’s Candies

Hope, in a time of disasters Dec 14, 2021

2021 has been a bad year for disasters: Drought. Oil spills. Bomb cyclones. Wildfires. Delta. Omicron. Yet if you’re reading this, you’ve survived.

Our Masters of Disasters — L.A. Times reporters Ron Lin, Alex Wigglesworth and Rosanna Xia — reflect on the year and offer a bit of hope on apocalyptic issues such as the coronavirus, the environment and wildfires.

More reading:

The American West went through climate hell in 2021. But there’s still hope

More than 400 toxic sites in California are at risk of flooding from sea level rise

Newsletter: We write about environmental calamity. Here’s what gives us hope

Next U.S. ambassador to India might be L.A.'s mayor. Huh? Dec 13, 2021

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is political royalty in the City of Angels. His father was a district attorney. Eric Garcetti won his last election with over 80% of the vote. There were even rumors he would run for president in 2020. This summer, the Biden administration has tapped Garcetti as the U.S. ambassador to India. A Senate panel will consider his nomination this week. And people from Kolkata to Calexico are still saying ... huh? Him?

Today, we speak to L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez, who says Garcetti’s ambition might actually make him good for the position, and to former City Council candidate Dinesh Lakhanpal, who’s open to the idea, if a bit skeptical.

An earlier version of this episode was published June 10, 2021.

More reading:

Garcetti’s India move is no surprise. But it still stirred emotions and speculation

Waiting for Garcetti: India evaluates its ties with a post-Trump U.S.

Garcetti’s Senate committee nomination hearing scheduled for Tuesday

Today, we feast! Dec 10, 2021

Hungry? The Los Angeles Times' annual list of the 101 best restaurants just dropped. Whether you live here, want to visit or are just craving inspiration for types of food to explore near your own home, the list has something for you. Today, L.A. Times restaurant critic Bill Addison tells us about some of his favorite local restaurants — high-end spots, mom-and-pop places, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Korean and beyond — and how he chose which ones made the cut. He also talks about how food journalism is changing and why journalists used to give so much positive attention to chefs who made great food but behaved like toxic jerks.

More reading:

These are the 101 best restaurants in L.A.

11 must-try pop-ups, the next generation of L.A. dining

10 places to drink (wine, beer, cocktails, caffeine) right now

There she is, Miss Navajo Nation... Dec 09, 2021

The Miss Navajo Nation pageant has been going on almost every year since the 1950s. It’s not about swimsuits or evening gowns, though. This tradition is all about making sure the culture of the largest Native American tribe in the United States remains alive — and vibrant.In this episode, you’ll hear from this year's contestants, judges and the winner. And you’ll get a sense of why the Diné — what Navajos call themselves — place such importance on something nonmembers, at first glance, might dismiss as a mere beauty contest or country fair frivolity.

More reading:

A pageant like no other: ‘Can you imagine Miss USA or Miss Universe butchering a sheep?’

Navajo shepherds cling to centuries-old tradition in a land where it refuses to rain

Navajo Nation surpasses Cherokee to become largest tribe in the U.S.

The life and legacy of Jacqueline Avant Dec 08, 2021

Jacqueline Avant was a force many times over in Black Los Angeles and beyond. She was a renowned philanthropist, a political king and queen maker, a patron of the arts. She was also a wife, mother, a friend to community activists and U.S. presidents alike. Last week, an intruder fatally shot her in her Beverly Hills home. Tributes from across the world have poured in to mark a life ended too soon. Today, we devote our episode to the life and legacy of Jacqueline Avant, who was 81 years old.

More reading:

The killing of Jacqueline Avant: What we know

‘Unfathomable’ slaying of Jacqueline Avant stuns Hollywood and political world

Philanthropist Jacqueline Avant helped unite the worlds of Black politics and entertainment

Now hiring! Formerly incarcerated people Dec 07, 2021

There are about 20 million people in the United States with felony records and unemployment rates among the formerly incarcerated is especially high — 27%, a few years ago, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. Compare that with the overall unemployment rate around the same time, which was less than 4%. The stigma of a criminal record has long influenced this reality, but with the Great Resignation unfolding before us, the situation for these folks seems to be looking up. Today, we'll hear from L.A. Times business reporter Don Lee, who has written about the issue, and from someone who's working to connect formerly incarcerated people with jobs — and who was formerly incarcerated himself.

More reading:

Once shunned, people convicted of felonies find more employers open to hiring them

Tight job market is good for felons, people with disabilities and others who are hard to employ. But can it last?

Visit the Honest Jobs website

Kirsten Dunst on her new movie, family and mental health Dec 06, 2021

Our sister podcast “The Envelope” — which does deep-dive interviews with movie and TV stars — just started a new season, so we’re giving you a taste.

In this episode, Kirsten Dunst shares stories about growing up in Hollywood, why she decided to publicly address her mental health break, and the joyful — though sometimes awkward — moments of acting opposite her real-life partner, Jesse Plemons, in “The Power of the Dog.”

More reading:

‘Power of the Dog’ writer-director Jane Campion explains her enigmatic career choices

Review: ‘Power of the Dog’ reasserts Jane Campion’s mastery and reveals a new side of Benedict Cumberbatch

Kodi Smit-McPhee walks us through that ‘Power of the Dog’ ending

The Envelope podcast homepage

A Chinese tennis star disappears Dec 03, 2021

On Nov. 2, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai published a letter on her verified social media account that accused a former top Chinese government official of sexual assault. Then suddenly, she disappeared. But it’s not just people with name recognition who are disappearing in the country. Human rights group Safeguard Defenders estimates that more than 45,000 people were subjected to a form of secret detention since President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2013.

Today, we speak with L.A. Times Beijing Bureau Chief Alice Su, who has been investigating this phenomenon. And we’ll also hear from a writer who studies feminism in China.

More reading:

They helped Chinese women, workers, the forgotten and dying.

Then they disappeared Women’s tennis tour suspends events in China over Peng Shuai concerns

EU wants ‘verifiable proof’ that Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai is safe

David Chang gets very honest with us Dec 02, 2021

Today, we’ll spend the show with food personality David Chang to talk about his new Hulu series, "The Next Thing You Eat," which — full disclosure — our host Gustavo Arellano appears in. We’ll discuss what David found, why he thinks Southern California is such a great place for food, and also the future of the food industry in the era of COVID-19.

He also has a raw conversation about how the harsh working conditions in restaurants can be improved, and about his own anger.

More reading:

Watch "The Next Thing You Eat" on Hulu

David Chang on restaurants and his own life: ‘The old ways just don’t work anymore’

David Chang doesn’t want your compliments

College degrees for incarcerated folks Dec 01, 2021

For more than a century, California's approach to incarcerating people has gone mostly like this: Incarcerate them. But now, there’s a program offered by the Cal State University system that helps incarcerated folks not only develop skills but also reimagine themselves — as people who could have lives after serving long prison terms, as scholars. Today, we’re going to talk about this new educational opportunity for those on the inside with L.A. Times education reporter Colleen Shalby.

More reading:

They were supposed to die in prison. Instead, they earned freedom as college graduates

Editorial: For former prisoners to have a shot at a normal life, we need successful reentry programs

Apodaca: UC Irvine law professor sees college degrees as a way to reduce recidivism

Cycling while Latino in L.A. County is tough Nov 30, 2021

An L.A. Times investigation found that from 2017 to July of this year, 70% of bicyclists that L.A. County sheriff’s deputies pulled over were Latinos, even though the group makes up only about half of the county’s population. And they searched 85% of bike riders they stopped, even though deputies often had no reason to think they’d find something illegal. They ended up making arrests or writing citations 21% of the time. Today, we talk to the L.A. Times journalists who reported this story. And we talk to a Latino cycling activist about how it is to cycle around Los Angeles.

More reading:

L.A. sheriff’s deputies use minor stops to search bicyclists, with Latinos hit hardest

Bicyclists share stories of being stopped by L.A. County deputies: ‘Everybody is a suspect until proven otherwise’

L.A. County supervisors seek to decriminalize bike violations after Times investigation

Lowriders. Cruising. A Southern California ritual returns Nov 29, 2021

Our guest host Faith E. Pinho, a Metro reporter at the L.A. Times, speaks with Times culture writer Daniel Hernandez about the cast of characters and cars that have been lining the wide boulevards of Southern California for decades. They look at who is embracing cruising culture and its uneasy relationship with law enforcement.

An earlier version of this episode was published May 28, 2021.

More reading:

The lowrider is back: The glorious return of cruising to the streets of L.A.

Here are 8 key lowrider moments in pop films and TV, according to Estevan Oriol

During pandemic, trash and crime increased on Whittier Boulevard. Lowrider clubs said: Enough

Alison Roman on cooking and cancellation Nov 23, 2021

Alison Roman is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and video maker whose unfussy recipes pack a punch. Those recipes, along with her fun persona, made her a bright spot for many fans especially as the pandemic began taking hold. Then Roman, who is white, lobbed some criticism at celebrities Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo — women of color — and controversy engulfed her. Roman was canceled. Or was she? What exactly does being canceled mean, anyway? What can a person learn, and where can they go from there? L.A. Times reporter Erin B. Logan asks Roman these questions. But first: What's Roman making for Thanksgiving, how did she get into the food world, and how does she make simplicity taste so good? (Psst: This is the last episode before The Times' Thanksgiving break. We'll be back Monday!)

More reading:

Alison Roman moves beyond Chrissy Teigen backlash and vows to grow from it

When Alison Roman insulted Chrissy Teigen: Everything to know about their online spat

Column: Cancel culture is as American as apple pie

Alison Roman's website

Sohla El-Waylly on cooking and appropriation Nov 22, 2021

Sohla El-Waylly is famous for her cooking videos for outlets like the History Channel’s “Ancient Recipes,” Bon Appetit’s “Test Kitchen,” and so, so much more. She also writes a column at Food52 and contributes to the cooking section at the other big-time Times newspaper (the one on the East Coast).

Today, we do another crossover episode with our sibling podcast “Asian Enough,” where El-Waylly talks about food appropriation, her inspirations and much more.

Hosts: Johana Bhuiyan and Tracy Brown

Guest: Chef Sohla El-Waylly

More reading:

Babish expands as pandemic boosts YouTube cooking shows

Vulture: Going Sohla

Sohla’s website

The story of L.A.’s glitzy gambling boat kingpin Nov 19, 2021

This story of Los Angeles’ 1930s era of gambling boats — and Tony Cornero, the underworld boss at the center of the action — is a portal to another version of the city, one that’s glamorous and seedy. Business reporter Daniel Miller spent months chasing down the tale, poring over FBI records, reviewing newspaper accounts and interviewing the few people alive who remember when barges bobbing off the coast of Santa Monica offered the chance at a sea-sprayed jackpot. He tells us about this world of water-cannon gangsters and floating vice dens — which paved the way for the popularity of Las Vegas and dramatically met its end 82 years ago this month.

More reading:

The secret history of L.A.’s glitzy gambling boat kingpin — and the raid that sank him

Social media's Latino misinformation problem Nov 18, 2021

Last month, former Facebook employee Frances Haugen revealed she had released thousands of documents that showed how the company knew yet did little to curb harmful content for its billions of users. Those documents also showed that Facebook’s parent company, Meta, knew disinformation on its platforms was particularly corrosive to Latino communities — yet the company did little to stop it. Today, we talk about the damage and what activists are doing to try to stop it.

More reading:

What Facebook knew about its Latino-aimed disinformation problem

Misinformation online is bad in English. But it’s far worse in Spanish

Facebook struggled with disinformation targeted at Latinos

Mega-drought + mega-rain = uh-oh! Nov 17, 2021

When it rains, it pours, and when it pours after a long dry spell, water can become dangerous. Fire-scarred lands see mudslides devastate homes. Parched soil can’t absorb the rain that comes. Water, water everywhere, and California is still on the brink.Today, we reconvene our Masters of Disasters to discuss how too much rain after a drought can be bad. And who knew the term "mudslide" could be so controversial?

More reading:

Threat of mudslides returns to California after devastating fires. How do they work?

California rains break all-time records, spurring floods and mudslides

October’s torrential rains brought some drought relief, but California’s big picture still bleak

In-N-Out Burger enters the COVID-19 wars Nov 16, 2021

Last month, In-N-Out Burger made national news when health officials in San Francisco shut down one of its restaurants. The company’s sin: refusing to comply with a law that requires restaurants to ask customers for proof of COVID-19 vaccination. An In-N-Out spokesperson described the mandate as “intrusive, improper and offensive” — and suddenly, the burger chain became a flashpoint in the country’s culture wars. Today, we talk about this beloved company with L.A. Times reporter Stacy Perman, author of the best-selling 2009 book “In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules.”

More reading:

Column: What In-N-Out’s vaccine standoff reveals about the California dream

Inside In-N-Out Burger’s escalating war with

California over COVID-19 vaccine rules ‘We refuse to become the vaccination police’: In-N-Out Burger, and other restaurants defy COVID mandates

Leyna Bloom on breaking ground as a trans woman of color Nov 15, 2021

Over the last few years, Leyna Bloom has been the first in many categories. In 2017, she became the first trans woman of color to grace the pages of Vogue India. In 2019, she became one of the first trans women to walk Paris Fashion Week. And most recently, she broke barriers again as the first trans cover model for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue.

On this crossover episode with our sister podcast “Asian Enough,” Bloom talks about her ties to ballroom, her Black and Filipina identity and reuniting with her mom after decades apart.

More reading:

How Leyna Bloom became the first transgender actress of color to star in a film at Cannes

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit goes bold: Megan Thee Stallion, Naomi Osaka, Leyna Bloom

Review: Luminous performances elevate trans romance ‘Port Authority’

Can the FBI spy on Muslims and not say why? Nov 12, 2021

In 2011, a group of Muslims in Orange County sued the federal government, alleging that the FBI violated the constitutional rights of Muslims by spying on them solely because of their religion. The feds denied the allegations, but they also said they couldn't disclose why they had spied on this community. To do so, according to the government, would reveal state secrets. Now the lawsuit is before the U.S. Supreme Court, and the feds want it dismissed. Today, we hear from L.A. Times reporter Suhauna Hussain, who is covering the case. We'll hear from some of the plaintiffs and Muslim activists. And we'll also hear from Craig Monteilh, the self-admitted FBI informant in the center of all this.

More reading:

Supreme Court skeptical of FBI’s claim in monitoring of Orange County Muslims

Column: In Orange County case, the U.S. is hiding behind claims of ‘state secrets’

From the archives: Man says he was FBI informant

Why we forget U.S. violence toward Chinatowns Nov 11, 2021

This fall, a commemoration in downtown Los Angeles marked the 150th anniversary of when a mob lynched 18 Chinese men and boys — one of the biggest such killings in American history. The recent memorial comes in a year when many similar remembrances have bloomed across the United States. Anti-Asian hate crimes have soared during the pandemic, but that has also spurred an interest in learning the long, and long-hidden, history of such bigotry.

More reading:

History forgot the 1871 Los Angeles Chinese massacre, but we’ve all been shaped by its violence

L.A.'s memorial for 1871 Chinese Massacre will mark a shift in how we honor history

The racist massacre that killed 10% of L.A.’s Chinese population and brought shame to the city

White residents burned this California Chinatown to the ground. An apology came 145 years later

California's marijuana revolution at 25 years Nov 10, 2021

Marijuana use is now ubiquitous in mainstream culture — even Martha Stewart’s into CBD products thanks to her good pal Snoop Dogg. Despite this, the federal government classifies basically all cannabis-related products as illegal. That stands in the way of things like medical research. Can California, which sparked a revolution 25 years ago with the legalization of medical marijuana by voters, push the federal government to legalize marijuana once and for all?

More reading:

California changed the country with marijuana legalization. Is it high time for the feds to catch up?

Thousands of California marijuana convictions officially reduced, others dismissed

Editorial: What legalization? California is still the Wild West of illegal marijuana

Why this USC fraternity scandal is different Nov 09, 2021

At USC, hundreds of students have been protesting university officials and so-called Greek life itself over the last month after a series of drugging and sexual assault allegations that the school kept quiet about for weeks. It's the latest scandal to hit the school, and some of the loudest criticism has come from an unexpected source: fraternity and sorority members. Today, we talk to L.A. Times higher education reporter Teresa Watanabe about the matter. And a USC student who's a proud sorority sister tells us why she's pushing for change.

More reading:

USC students protest toxic Greek life after fraternity suspended for alleged drugging, sexual assault

USC’s ‘Greek experience’ under fire even as fraternities gain in popularity post-pandemic

USC admits to ‘troubling delay’ in warning about fraternity drugging, sex assault reports

How Filipino Americans are the Latinos of Asia Nov 08, 2021

In this crossover episode with our cousin podcast “Asian Enough,” hosts Suhauna Hussain and Johana Bhuiyan speak with sociologist Anthony Ocampo. He’s spent his career studying the intersection of race, gender and immigration, which guided his groundbreaking book “The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break the Rules of Race.”

Today, Ocampo also speaks about another facet of his work: what it means to be brown and gay in Los Angeles. And he reflects on Filipino nurses’ role in battling the coronavirus in the United States.

More reading:

Filipino American trailblazers speak truth to Hollywood through jokes and rhymes

How the Philippines’ colonial legacy weighs on Filipino American mental health

Filipino-led micro-businesses blossom in the pandemic at L.A.'s Manila District

Make way for women, LGBTQ and POC skateboarders Nov 05, 2021

Skateboarding is a mainstay of California street culture, from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond. It’s so popular that L.A. County filled outdoor skateparks with sand earlier in the pandemic so no one could grind on them.

But during the pandemic, skateboard sales surged — and communities long marginalized from the sport are now making their own spaces.

Today we talk to reporter Cerise Castle, who’s covering and participating in this rise, and skateboarders from various parts of America — including Washington, D.C., and the Navajo Nation — tell us why they skate.

More reading:

Skating can be a bridge in L.A. These 3 crews show how bonds form on four wheels

Skateboarding improves mental health, helps build diverse relationships, USC study says

From the archives: Skateboarders in urban areas get respect, and parks

What it's like for L.A.'s female firefighters Nov 04, 2021

Less than 4% of Los Angeles’ firefighters are women — a number that, despite the mayor’s goals, has inched up only slightly in recent years. Many of the female firefighters say their ranks are so small because of a hostile, sexist culture pervading the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Today, we talk about what women in the LAFD have been dealing with, including trash in their lockers, feces on bathroom floors and nasty remarks from co-workers they need to trust with their lives. We talk to L.A. Times City Hall reporter Dakota Smith, who has covered this hazing culture, and we also hear from Stacy Taylor, a retired battalion chief who pushed for better treatment during her 26 years in the department.

More reading:

Women say they endure ‘frat house’ culture at L.A. Fire Department. ‘The worst of my life’

Female firefighters, civil rights advocates call for LAFD chief’s removal

Firefighters sue over city of L.A.'s vaccine mandate

Extreme heat, the silent killer Nov 03, 2021

Every year, people in the American West die from scorching temperatures. Experts fear that the number of deaths is undercounted — and, that as the climate continues to heats up, the death rate is going to rise.

Officially, California says 599 people died due to heat exposure from 2010 to 2019. But a Los Angeles Times investigation estimates the number is way higher: about 3,900 deaths.

Today we talk to Tony Barboza and Anna M. Phillips, who, along with Sean Greene and Ruben Vives, spearheaded the L.A. Times investigation. We discuss why their count is so different from the state's, who's most vulnerable to the heat and how to protect yourself.

More reading:

Heat waves are far deadlier than we think. How California neglects this climate threat

Climate change is supercharging California heat waves, and the state isn’t ready

Poor neighborhoods bear the brunt of extreme heat, ‘legacies of racist decision-making’

Mexico’s wine country gets big — maybe too big Nov 02, 2021

The Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California is Mexico’s premier wine country, a lush valley that makes Napa seem as gorgeous as a parking lot.

But a lot of development is coming to the Valle — and many locals aren’t happy.

Today, we travel to this beautiful, contested space with two experts. Javier Cabral is the editor of LA Taco and wrote about a recent anti-development protest there. Javier Plascencia, a pioneering chef, has seen Valle grow and wants the world to come in — in a sustainable way.

More reading:

Is Valle de Guadalupe over? The fight to protect Mexican wine country

10 things to know about Chef Javier Plascencia

Baja is making a lot more great wine than you might think

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected