#52: For our first episode of 2023, HTLA is headed back to our roots: exploring LA's neighborhoods. This stop? Fairfax – one of the oldest AND newest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. From Canter's Deli and a handful of remaining Judaica stores, to RipNDip and Supreme, this is one of those neighborhoods that's got something for everyone. So join host Brian De Los Santos as HTLA listener Patrick Vukovich takes him on a tour of the district and its history.

Guest: Patrick Vukovich, television producer and LAist listener.

Note: A previous version of this story included incorrect information about redevelopment at CBS Television City. The updated plan is available here: https://planning.lacity.org/development-services/eir/tvc-2050-project-0

#51: Kenneth Mejia made history this fall when he was elected as the first Asian American controller in L.A. He's young, 32. He has corgis, rides a scooter, and has been painted as a leftist. In other words, he comes off kinda cool...for an accountant. Mejia joins a couple of other political newbies who rode a progressive wave into office this year. But L.A. needs some work. How will he and some of the other new folks work with everyone else to get things done, and make some change?

Guests: Kenneth Mejia, LA City Controller; Frank Stoltze, LAist's Civics and Democracy Correspondent 

#50: For our 50th episode (and second to last before 2023!) HTLA host Brian De Los Santos reflects on the changes this year brought him. Then our crew at LAist and some of our listeners share their wildest moments of 2022.

#49: WARNING: There are events discussed in this episode that might be upsetting for some.

It's Hanukkah, a time for Jewish people to come together with friends and family, light the menorah and exchange gifts. But this year feels a little more solemn. Hate crimes, and particularly antisemitic ones, are on the rise in LA County. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles recently held its second annual Shine A Light event at Grand Park in Downtown LA. Mayor Karen Bass and other political officials joined jewish leaders to raise awareness of the rising rates of antisemitism and discuss how to fight against the hate. HTLA producer Megan Botel was there and interviewed one woman whose mother was killed during an attack on a synagogue in 2019.

Guests: Hannah Jacqueline Kaye, daughter of Lori Gilbert Kaye, who was killed at Chabad of Poway in San Diego; Randi Grossman, Lori Gilbert Kaye's sister; Jeffrey Abrams, L.A. regional director of the ADL  

(Update) #23: He was known as the “Ghost Cat”. The “Brad Pitt” of Lions. The Old Man (in the cougar world). Any news of P-22 dominated the headlines, and his likeness inspired art all over the city. 

LA's one and only lion king was euthanized on Dec. 17 after severe injuries, likely from impact with a car. He leaves a huge legacy, including a wildlife crossing that is currently being built that will allow LA's wildlife to better roam without risk.

Today we're revisiting the episode we published earlier in the year about the crossing.

The largest wildlife crossing in the WORLD will cross over 10 lanes of the 101 freeway - the deadliest road for mountain lions - to connect the Santa Monica Mountains with the Simi Hills. We revisit the episode with Miguel Ordenaña, the guy who first discovered P-22 using a motion-activated cameras. He and HTLA host Brian De Los Santos talk about what this crossing will mean for this city, and what it takes for projects like these to break ground.

Guest: Miguel Ordenaña, community science manager at the Natural History Museum.

#48: Heads up L.A., this next episode is all fluff.  Cause it's the holidays. And you know what that means? Time to get basic! This cozy time of year has that ability to bring the most basic parts out in all of us, right? Host Brian De Los Santos and producer Megan Botel define what it really means to be a basic girl and take you on an LA basic girl journey - holiday edition. Explore pumpkin spice lattes, the Original Farmers Market, peppermint bark, selfies with Santa, overpriced candles and a holiday pop up bar in the Arts District, complete with fake snow. 

#47: Overdose deaths are rising dramatically in LA. Almost 1300% in the last several years. Fentanyl is a major culprit. LA's Public Health Department, LAUSD, LAPD and the DA's office have started strategizing to figure out how to deal with this crisis... But there are groups out there who have been practicing harm reduction for years: distributing narcan or fentanyl test-strips, and teaching classes. Groups like T.A.C.O., a national non-profit started by 5 college students, who saw a deadly problem that didn't seem like it was being addressed.

Today we're taking a personal look at LA's fentanyl crisis, and some of the solutions that are currently saving lives.

Guests: Isabella Gianatiempo, co-founder & CEO of T.A.C.O. Inc; B, who requested that we not use their full name, an L.A. college student who overdosed and survived.

If you or someone you know experiences an overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately. 

For educational resources about drug safety, check out Taco's website, and the CA Department of Public Health.

#46: Since 2020, city and county leaders have promised to develop an unarmed mental health crisis response system amid demands for police reform. But two years later the pilot program announced by the city has yet to launch and the county's system is a patchwork of services for which there are enough trained people to do the work.  HTLA host Brian De Los Santos checks in on how LA is doing on its promise to respond to mental health crises without law enforcement and what is needed for officials to deliver on a plan that works.

Guests: Robert Garrova, Mental Health Reporter for LAist; Ben Adam Climer, founder of C.R.I.S.I.S. Consulting, which has helped cities develop unarmed emergency response units

UPDATE: Since this aired, BurritoBreak announced its closing. The high cost of eggs and other food sources, plus the lack of downtown foot traffic made it difficult to keep the business afloat.

You can read more about it here: 

Egg Prices Tripling, DTLA Offices Emptying. Why A Beloved Breakfast Burrito Joint Is Shutting Down

#45: Cheap Fast Eats! You know what that means: Gab and Brian are together again, eating their way through downtown LA. For our 4th installment, we're checking out some secret alleyway breakfast burritos, a Japanese comfort food / plant store hybrid, and much more. 

Guest: Gab Chabrán, food editor for LAist

Check out Gab's article for his full list of restaurants.

#44: CicLAvia is in its 12th year, closing down streets throughout LA county for folks to ride, skate, walk and just move their bodies without ANY cars. The event happens every other month or so. But even though most of the HTLA team were raised in the LA area (or have certainly lived here long enough!) none of us have ever done it. So here we go... to South LA with the whole team... let's go see what it's all about!