Today on AirTalk, LAist reporter Erin Stone tells us what happens to our food waste after trash day and how it is being made into fuel here in L.A. Scientists say that monarch butterflies may soon be classified as a "threatened species." And, a new study asks: Are couples who live separately better off? According to an L.A. city audit, one in every four city-funded homeless shelter beds are going unused. California’s unemployment insurance program is $20 billion in debt and the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) released a report that says the state program's current model is fiscally unsustainable. We're discussing how the debt got so bad and the LAO's four recommendations to fix the program. What was your holiday shopping experience like before malls? Call in and tell us.

Today on AirTalk:

- How food waste becomes fuel (0:15)

- Will the monarch butterfly go extinct? (19:21)

- Why are couples living apart? (36:25)

- 1 in 4 city-funded shelter beds unused according to LA audit (51:42)

- CA's $20 billion debt in unemployment insurance (1:07:31)

- Holiday shopping pre-malls (1:29:04)

Today on AirTalk, on the heels of the murder of the United HealthCare CEO, we've seen a massive trend of glorification of his suspected shooter, Luigi Mangione. We have a professor of political science with us to discuss what this public reaction can tell us about the role of political violence in America today. A new study looks into the effect of social rejection on our brains and we're talking to one of the authors about how we can learn from those uncomfortable moments. For Food Friday, Austin is tasting some festive holiday drinks from Capri Club.

Today on AirTalk:

• What the UHC CEO shooting tells us about political violence in America (0:15)

• How our brains learn from rejection (21:16)

• Food Friday: Tasting festive holiday cocktails from Capri Club (40:15)

 

Today on AirTalk, we are discussing the case of the missing U.S. woman who was found in Mexico and looking into the prevalence of missing cases like hers. We're talking about Native Americans and what they can expect from the incoming Trump Administration. President-elect Donald Trump was chosen for Time Magazine's Person of the Year, who would you choose? Last month, The Animation Guild reached a tentative deal on AI, what does this mean for Hollywood? Have you heard of 'Sunset Anxiety'? We're explaining what it is and why it might have you feeling down in the evening time. For today's TV Talk, we're covering ‘No Good Deed,’ ‘Finding Mr. Christmas,’ ‘Laid,’ and much more.

Today on AirTalk:

- What happens when a loved one goes missing? (0:15)

- Native Americans and the Trump admin (11:56)

- Your pick for Person of the Year (38:18)

- Animation guild reaches tentative deal on AI (52:07)

- What is 'Sunset Anxiety'? (1:08:29)

- TV Talk: ‘No Good Deed,’ ‘Laid,’ and much more (1:26:29)

Today on AirTalk, the grocery chain Albertsons is suing Kroger after judges halted their merger because they believe it would lessen the competition in the CA grocery market and could potentially violate consumer-protection laws. California's push to electrify the pollutive trucking industry has companies replacing old diesel trucks with shiny new electric ones. However, a company headquartered in Rancho Dominguez is taking another route by retrofitting those old diesel trucks to turn them into electric ones. The first episode of the highly-anticipated podcast Nobody Knows Anything is out. We have the host, and creator of The Black List, Franklin Leonard in the studio to tell us all about it. LA County officials are holding a press conference this morning to address a surge in hate crime. Call in and tell us if you have noticed this rise in hate-motivated crime in your area.

Today on AirTalk:

- Judges halt Kroger/Albertsons merger (0:15)

- Old diesel trucks get electric rehab (16:25)

- Franklin Leonard of The Black List on new podcast (32:01)

- LA County Officials Detail Hate Crime Report (51:42)

- What is your perception of hate-motivated crime in your area? (1:10:20)

 

Today on AirTalk, we're keeping you up to date on any developments with the Franklin fire in Malibu. We're also looking into the current state of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as some companies and universities start to shift their practices. As we gear up for the holiday season, we're going to tell you where to find SoCal holiday displays so you can create some special memories with friends and family. A new study on the Salton Sea reveals that nitrogen oxide emissions might be contributing to smog in the basin. California plans to ban "sell by" food labels. A food safety expert walks us through how to differentiate and keep food up to par. And, we're discussing the science behind why we cry and the different kinds of tears. What purpose does crying serve in your life?

Today on AirTalk:

- Franklin fire in Malibu causes evacuations (0:15)

- The current state of DEI (16:07)

- Exploring SoCal holiday displays (39:20)

- Salton Sea smog (52:10)

- What even is a 'best by' date? (1:10:40)

- Why do we cry? (1:26:10)

Today on Airtalk, the Syrian Captial has fallen, and we have experts to tell us what they think is next for the country. And, for our peek into history, we are looking at the contentious topic of raw milk in Southern California. As the Scrubs reboot begins development, we want to know which shows our listeners would love to see make a comeback. The Metropolitan Water District is voting on whether to continue funding the Delta tunnel project. We're discussing what the project looks like and arguments for both continuing and halting the project. The Federal Appeals Court has voted to uphold the TikTok ban. What does this mean for the app as Trump enters office? Marcia Clark, the prosecutor from OJ Simpson's infamous trial, has written a new book called Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham.

Today on AirTalk:

- Syrian capital has fallen. What's next? (0:15)

- Socal History: Raw milk (19:09)

- TV Reboots (36:27)

- CA votes on Delta Conveyance Project (52:40)

- TikTok ban upheld (1:10:48)

- Marcia Clark, OJ Simpson's prosecutor, comes out with new book (1:25:45)

Today on Airtalk, following his decision to rework the LA Times editorial board, the Times' owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, has announced the rollout of an AI-powered bias detector tool. We're discussing what it is and how the public is responding. Call in and tell us how you feel about using AI to monitor bias. For Food Friday, we are doing a deep dive into the Los Angeles bagel scene. 

Today on AirTalk:

- LA Times owner announces AI-powered bias detector to roll out (0:15)

- Food Friday: Los Angeles bagel scene (24:25)

Today on AirTalk, we are taking a look at the Ladies Professional Golf Association's change in gender policy to ban women who transitioned after puberty. We're going to tell you how to navigate food contamination outbreaks and why 2024 was so full of them. The author of a recent study on human light intake will discuss how light affects our health. In preparation for the incoming Trump administration, CA lawmakers have convened to "safeguard" the state's values. We have a music critic to talk about this year's Spotify Wrapped and why it was met with public backlash. And, for today's TV Talk includes ‘The Sticky,’ ‘Black Doves,’ ‘Skeleton Crew,’ and more.

Today on AirTalk:

- Women's golf association changes policy for trans athletes (0:15)

- Food contamination outbreaks explained (11:48)

- Light intake study (25:25)

- CA special session (34:01)

- Spotify Wrapped trends (44:18)

- TV Talk: ‘The Sticky,’ ‘Black Doves,’ ‘Skeleton Crew,’ and more (56:34)

Today on AirTalk, we're looking into Australia's social media ban for children under 16 years old. As the 2028 Olympics approaches, UCLA will soon be home to California's first wireless electric charging road. The Supreme Court will be hearing a case today that challenges the Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors. We're keeping you updated as the case develops. California’s solar energy surplus has caused problems with the grid and it's going to cost us. We have a solar energy expert with us to tell us why. After 102 years, the historic Rose Bowl is getting an upgrade and we're discussing what to expect from the renovations.

Today on AirTalk:

- Australia bans social media for kids 16 and under (0:15)

- UCLA to build CA's first electric charging road (23:15)

- Supreme Court hears case challenging trans healthcare for minors (32:06)

- CA’s solar surplus has a price (43:36)

- The Rose Bowl stadium gets an upgrade (55:54)

Today on AirTalk, South Korea declared emergency martial law. We're talking about what that means and the context. We're going over all of the locations in CA that are set to be renamed to remove a derogatory term for Indigenous women. A new study looks at how mountain lions cohabitate with humans in Los Angeles, the lead author gives us the details. Republicans are planning an ambitious 100-day agenda after taking control of Congress. We have experts in the studio to share how Trump’s proposed tax cuts might impact you. And, call in to tell us what TV show you started watching because of your partner.

Today on AirTalk:

- South Korea declares emergency martial law (0:15)

- Why CA is removing a slur for Indigenous women from local street names (11:48)

- LA mountain lions are avoiding us (23:30)

- What Trump's first 100 days may look like (26:26)

- What shows did you find through your partner? (56:55)