Today on AirTalk, the latest on the Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County and a look at the heat wave hitting Southern California. Also on the show, how a smaller prison population is impacting California’s available firefighters; we get an update on the France and UK elections; we examine why Americans are becoming skeptical of higher education; we explore the evolution of makeup trends throughout history; and more.

• Latest on Lake Fire & SoCal heat wave (00:17)
• Why CA is seeing a decrease of incarcerated firefighters (16:05)
• Listeners share hot weather stories (32:48)
• Election update: France & UK (51:35)
• Americans skeptical of higher education (1:10:40)
• History & evolution of makeup trends (1:23:47)

Today on AirTalk, the latest on the White House response to President Biden’s health. Also on the show, Skydance Media buys Paramount Global; we examine what happened to NYC’s ‘congestion pricing’ system and if there’s been ripple effects; we explore what presidential immunity means; a new study finds a culprit behind declining butterfly populations; new book ‘Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals’ explains our recent empathy toward animals; and more.

• Latest on President Biden’s health (00:17)
• What to know about Skydance purchasing Paramount (17:48)
• The rise & fall of NYC’s ‘congestion pricing’ system (32:52)
• What exactly is presidential immunity? (51:31)
• Why are butterfly populations declining? (1:11:23)
• New book examines how we treat animals (1:27:39)

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul halted a plan to charge most motorists $15 to enter the core of Manhattan, upending the nation’s first “congestion pricing” system at the beginning of June, just weeks before it was set to launch. The announcement dealt a stunning blow to a program, years in the making, that was intended to raise billions of dollars for New York’s beleaguered subways and commuter rails while reducing emissions and gridlock on the city’s streets. The situation raises broader questions about the future of congestion pricing programs, including what could happen in Los Angeles. Today on AirTalk, we explain what happened in New York, the chaotic aftermath, the politics involved and what other cities can learn. Joining to discuss is Jimmy Vielkind, reporter for the Wall Street Journal who’s been covering New York for more than a decade, and Michael Manville, professor of urban planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

With files from the Associated Press

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this first episode, Larry Mantle and his son, Desmond, 23, talk about their wide-ranging interests and shared drive to understand why things are the way they are, and discuss whether today's generation is as intellectually curious as Larry's peers in the 1970s.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Today on AirTalk, we dig into a new proposal that looks to expand the size of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five to nine members. Also on the show, we dive into the history of the iconic Valley Girl accent; listeners share their thoughts on President Biden remaining in the 2024 presidential race; Larry Mantle and his son Desmond preview their new LAist podcast ‘Passing The Mantle;’ author Eric Weiner stops by to talk about his book ‘Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful life;’ and more.

• LA Board of Supervisors considers expanding (00:17)
• Israel: ultra-orthodox men can be drafted (22:11)
• History of the Valley Girl accent (38:32)
• If not Biden, then who? Listeners weigh in (51:31)
• Larry previews his new podcast ‘Passing The Mantle’ (1:09:27)
• New book on Ben Franklin (1:26:27)

Today on AirTalk, we dig into the nine California state props that have qualified for the November ballot. Also on the show, a look into why the Therapeutic Van Transport Pilot Program in LA may be coming to an end; Chaz Ebert drops by to talk about her new book ‘It’s Time to Give a FECK: Elevating Humanity through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness;’ we preview LAist’s Tournament of Cheeseburgers at Smorgasburg this weekend; our TV critics review the latest shows; and more.

• What props are heading to the Nov. ballot? (00:17)
• Is LA ending a 911 mental health pilot program? (19:13)
• Chaz Ebert talks her new book ‘It’s Time to Give a FECK’ (34:51)
• Remembering Robert Towne (51:22)

• Preview: LAist Tournament of Cheeseburgers at Smorgasburg (1:09:29)
• TV-Talk (1:22:35)

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations.

It's co-hosted by Larry Mantle, host of LAist 89.3’s AirTalk, the longest-running daily talk show in Southern California, and his son Desmond Mantle. Even though Desmond is in law school pursuing a different career, he shares his dad’s fascination with the world and drive to understand why things are the way they are.

Diving into topics like gender dynamics, mental health, religion and sex, Larry and Desmond will discuss shifting societal values, the life experiences that have shaped their perspectives and stories that neither of them have shared before... gaining a new understanding of the world, and each other, in each episode.

Passing the Mantle premieres July 8th.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Today on AirTalk, everything you need to know about Southern California’s latest heat wave. Also on the show, we explore forgiveness and what research says about its mental health and physiological benefits; we get an update on COVID-19 variants; we dive into the concept of ‘medium friends’ and the best ways to navigate those relationships; and more.

• SoCal enters longest heat wave of the year (00:17)
• July 4th travel set to be busiest on record (13:35)
• What science tells us about forgiveness (24:55)
• Summer update on COVID-19 (51:27)
• What movies are quintessentially Californian? (1:08:40)

• Best ways to manage ‘medium friends’ (1:25:03)

There are all different types of friends. From the one best friend you’ve known since kindergarten to the coworker you have small talk with by the water cooler. These more casual, or “medium” friends, people you hang out with every now then, but don’t divulge all your secrets to, can be just as beneficial as your closest companions. You can stretch your social muscles, get some serotonin from your interactions, but not have to put as much time and effort into emotional labor. But these relationships can also cause some anxiety, especially when the expectations about what these friendships are get muddied. 

Today on AirTalk, we talk to Keelah Williams, professor of psychology at Hamilton College, about the more casual friends in our lives. If you have a “medium” friend and want to share your experience, we’d love to hear from you! What do you like about these looser ties? What are some challenges in these more casual friendships? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at [email protected]. 

Summer is here! And so are soaring summer travel rates. Travel this Fourth of July holiday could be the busiest on record. AAA is predicting nearly 71 million people on the move this holiday. It's important to plan ahead, be patient and be ready for delays, both in the air and on the road. Joining to discuss what to expect this week and what the soaring rates say about the state of overall travel is Gianella Ghiglino, spokesperson for the Auto Club of Southern California. Are you traveling this week? Are you implementing extra planning measures? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email [email protected] if you have thoughts or questions.