AirTalk

The Olympic games date back 3,000 years to Ancient Greece, with the first broadcast beginning in 1936 for the Berlin games. Ever since, the global sporting event has created moments that have lodged themselves in our collective memory. Like during the 2008 games when Michael Phelps took home the most gold medals in Olympic history, or in 1996 when Muhammad Ali, despite having Parkinson’s, carried the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony, or when Florence Griffith Joyner, aka "Flo-Jo," dominated the 100 and 200 meters sprints at the 1988 Summer Games and set a record that still stands day. Today on AirTalk, we’re asking listeners which Olympics moments do you remember? Maybe it’s one from childhood or maybe it was the last Summer games. Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at [email protected]. 

Today on AirTalk, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a sweeping executive order on Thursday that will direct California state officials to dismantle thousands of homeless encampments on state property. Also on the show, we say farewell to retiring LAist hosts Susanne Whatley and Nick Roman; new book ‘California Eden’ maps out California’s horticultural heritage; we explore a new CalMatters investigation that reveals a lack of oversight at California homeless shelters; our TV critics review the latest shows; and more.

• Newsom issues executive order to remove CA homeless encampments (00:17)
• Saying farewell to Susanne Whatley & Nick Roman (17:52)
• 'California Eden' maps state's horticultural heritage (42:26)
• Do CA homeless shelters lack oversight? (51:23)
• How to watch the Olympics (1:18:15)
• TV-Talk (1:27:44)

Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Steve Greene, freelance TV critic, and Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture.

Today on AirTalk, the latest on Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy and President Biden’s upcoming Oval Office address. Also on the show, we preview the latest season of Imperfect Paradise from LAist Studios; LA County Sheriff Robert Luna stops by to update us on the developments in his department; we examine why the personal check is dying; and more.

• An update on national politics ahead of Biden's address (00:17)
• Preview: new Imperfect Paradise season (13:48)
• LA County Sheriff Robert Luna (26:58)
• New CA law bans schools from outing students (51:32)
• Is the personal check dead? (1:11:01)

Today on AirTalk, we take a deeper look into Vice President Kamala Harris’ background as a prosecutor in California, how her policy stances have evolved over time, and how these merge into her presidential candidacy. Also on the show, listeners share their favorite California swimming holes to beat the heat; we examine how President Biden stepping down might impact voter turnout; listeners share their favorite objectively touristy activity to do in Los Angeles; and more.

• A deeper look into Kamala Harris’ background and policy evolution (00:17)
• Listeners share their favorite CA swimming holes (34:23)
• How will voter turnout be impacted by President Biden stepping down? (51:18)
• What is your favorite touristy thing to do in LA? (1:19:36)

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 episode, Larry and Desmond talk about their own mental health journeys and how the openness to which people talk about their experiences has evolved since Larry was coming of age.

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.

With President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year. Democrats are set to hold their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. What was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the fall. The path ahead is neither easy nor obvious, even with Biden endorsing Harris. There are unanswered questions about logistics, money and political fallout. With Biden stepping aside, Democrats technically start with an open convention. But realistically, his endorsement pushes Democrats into murky territory. The immediate burden is on Harris to solidify support across almost 4,000 delegates from the states, territories and District of Columbia, plus more than 700 so-called superdelegates that include party leaders, certain elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents. Today on AirTalk, we’re taking the full two-hours to analyze Biden’s decision, what happens next and hear from you. Call us at 866-983-5722 or email us at [email protected]. 

With files from the Associated Press. 

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the global technology outage. Also on the show, we break down former President Donald Trump’s republican nomination acceptance speech from last night’s Republican National Convention; screenwriter turned therapist Phil Stark discusses mental health in the entertainment industry; we preview the upcoming LAist Ice Cream Social; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; Larry talks with director Josh Margolin and actor June Squibb about their new film ‘Thelma;’ and more.

• The latest on LAX delays amid global technology outage (00:17)
• What to know about former President Donald Trump’s RNC speech (7:17)
• Navigating mental health in the entertainment industry (25:27)
• Preview: LAist Ice Cream Social (40:49)
• FilmWeek critics review the latest releases (51:07)
• Larry Mantle talks with June Squibb and Josh Margolin about ‘Thelma’ (1:22:11)

Today on AirTalk, Elon Musk announced on Tuesday that he is moving the X and SpaceX headquarters out of California. Also on the show, we examine the science behind breakfast; we discuss this morning’s Emmy nominations; Larry Mantle and his son Desmond preview the latest ‘Passing the Mantle’ podcast episode from LAist Studios; author Albert Camarillo stops by to talk about his new book ‘Compton in My Soul: A Life in Pursuit of Racial Equality;’ and more.

• Are the X and SpaceX headquarters moving out of CA? (00:17)
• The science behind your breakfast (15:53)
• A peek at the 2024 Emmy Nominations (37:45)
• Preview: the latest ‘Passing the Mantle’ episode (51:30)
• Author Albert Camarillo on his new book ‘Compton in My Soul’ (1:19:21

Albert M. Camarillo grew up in Compton amid segregation. His father had moved there decades prior from Michoacán, Mexico, with Compton being one of the few places where Mexican immigrants were allowed to reside. Camarillo's Compton was characterized by racial strife as Black and Latino families moved in and former white residents moved out, taking with them much of the city's resources. In the 1960s when Camarillo left for college, he became one of only 42 Mexican American students to attend UCLA that year, later becoming the first Mexican American to receive a doctorate in history, founding the specific focus of Chicano/a studies. Now, almost 5 decades later, Camarillo returns to the neighborhood he grew up in his new book Compton In My Soul: A Life in Pursuit of Racial Equality, using his own family history to chronicle Compton's historical record.

Today on AirTalk, Albert M. Camarillo, professor of history at Stanford University and author of Compton In My Soul: A Life In Pursuit of Racial Equality joins Larry to talk about his new book and how his childhood in Compton informed his career as a historian.