As the wildfires ravaged across Los Angeles in January, planes throughout the region began dropping bright red fire retardant onto hillsides and homes in an effort to rein in the fires. Earlier this year, LAist partnered with researchers at USC to test samples of the fire retardant gathered from fire zones in the weeks after the Palisades, Eaton and Franklin fires where it remained on the ground. Those tests, including tests conducted on unused samples of the retardant, found toxic heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium and chromium. These toxic heavy metals can accumulate in the environment and pose risks to humans and wildlife, according to federal and state environmental agencies. Joining us to discuss their investigation on the heavy metals found in the fire retardant used during the recent wildfires is LAist science reporter Jacob Margolis.

With files from LAist.

The Los Angeles food scene is nearly mythical. Throw a frisbee in any direction and it’s almost bound to land on the doorstep of one of SoCal’s finest eateries. This leads to one of our quirkiest problems as Angelenos: figuring out which of our great restaurants to visit. Los Angeles Times food critic Jenn Harris and restaurant critic Bill Addison, have taken on the monumental task of answering that fateful question for us all with their ranking of the best restaurants to try in Los Angeles. Bill joins Larry this morning to share some of their best finds.

Today on AirTalk:

LA's best restaurants

Top Google searches of the year (21:34)

The allure of the tuba (31:30)

Why men don't go to the doctor's office (49:21)

Is Gen X neglected? (1:23:08)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Today on AirTalk:

New report on immigration enforcement's impact on schools (0:15)

Fertility after 35 (20:56)

Congestion is really bad (41:55)

NYT sues the Pentagon (51:34)

The future of Hep B vaccinations (1:04:59)

Australia's teen social media ban (1:22:06)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Today on AirTalk: Frank Gehry; New UCLA CA forecast; Interview with MTV cofounder; The Supreme Court; LA Metro fare enforcement; and combining news and prediction markets.

Today on AirTalk:

Remembering Frank Gehry (0:15)

New UCLA CA forecast (20:54)

Interview with an MTV cofounder (32:59)

What's new with the Supreme Court? (51:44)

How is LA Metro enforcing fares? (1:06:55)

Combining news and prediction markets? (1:28:31)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Today on AirTalk:

Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. studio (0:15)

What's the worst gift you've received? (14:45)

Food Friday: Langer's Delicatessen (33:11)

FilmWeek: What to watch (52:17)

How horror became a box office guarantee (1:27:45)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Today on AirTalk: What was in your Spotify Wrapped? AirTalk Live in Rancho Mirage; and TV Talk: What to watch.

Today on AirTalk:

What was in your Spotify Wrapped? (0:15)

AirTalk Live in Rancho Mirage (50:37)

TV Talk: What to watch (1:28:24)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Today on AirTalk: LA County law enforcement mask ban; Zillow removes climate risk feature; Ragebaiting; CA's high electric bills; and Why isn't Gen Z holiday shopping?

Today on AirTalk:

LA County moves ahead with mask ban for law enforcement (0:15)

Zillow removes climate risk feature (13:46)

Ragebaiting (25:31)

CA's high electric bills (51:23)

Transitional kindergarten (1:12:25)

Why isn't Gen Z holiday shopping? (1:29:08)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Today on AirTalk:

Tenth anniversary of the San Bernardino shooting (0:15)

Tattoos and health (15:04)

Celebrities in commercials (26:13)

New UCLA football coach (37:51)

Fiscal year in CA (50:01)

Crackdowns on DACA recipients (1:00:20)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Today on AirTalk:

Post-fire rebuilding (0:15)

Potential congressional review of US military strikes (23:36)

Journey across the US by steakhouse (30:35)

ChatGPT turns 3 (51:14) 

L.A. County bans Kratom (1:12:05)

What are the best tv & movie titles? (1:24:44)

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency