In Brief
California lawmakers passed a six-bill climate and energy package extending cap and trade to 2045, expanding the state’s wildfire fund, approving new oil drilling, and opening the door to a regional power market.
Today on AirTalk, we follow the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk death video going viral; what goes into making a great book, a great movie?; the Mezcal Por Siempre festival comes to LA this weekend; Zacatecan-style burritos and FilmWeek.
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• 1:39:02
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire, Tim Cogshell, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
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• 28:00
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California leaders wrapped this year’s legislative session Saturday afternoon, prolonged by last-minute backroom deals on climate and energy, sparking deep frustration among some lawmakers.
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On Monday, researchers will drop the dye into the water to learn how ocean currents affect pollution. It's the latest step, along with a new task force, to cut bacterial pollution at the popular recreation area.
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Months after the Eaton Fire, residents are putting up holiday lights again, starting this weekend.
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The bill, among the most controversial housing proposals in recent memory, overcame opposition from local governments, organized labor unions and many legislative Democrats.
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Senate Bills 627 and 805 would ban law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings and require officers to be readily identifiable, respectively.
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"Listening Hour" sessions are where people can find collective healing by sharing their stories.
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Join the East L.A. Mexican Independence Day Festival, party at Nocturnal Wonderland, check out a historic building tour with the L.A. Conservancy, bring the family to Dino Fest and more.
Explore LA
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Built in 1933, the colossal building known as “The Great Stone Mother” is poised to be the anchor of a city within a city.
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A growing community of collectors are sharing their obscure horror flicks and other physical media.
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Reactions from Black Altadena residents vary over the development of CBS sitcom from Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and comedian Mike Epps.
2025 Emmys
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The awards start at 5 p.m. PT on Sunday night, hosted by Nate Bargatze.
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Check out all the nominees ahead of Sunday's show.
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Latest from the White House
Follow the fast-moving developments under the Trump Administration.
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On Thursday evening, dozens of researchers hosted a science fair at UCLA to demonstrate the long-term impact of frozen grants.
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U.S. immigration authorities are preparing to send more than 300 South Korean workers home on a chartered flight from Atlanta, a week after detaining them for allegedly working illegally.
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Tens of millions of voters have had their information run through the tool — a striking portion of the U.S. public, considering little has been made public about the tool's accuracy or data security.
LA's wildfires: Your recovery guide
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Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way.
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The report didn't find high lead levels in the Palisades Fire area. And the county added that “there is no evidence of widespread contamination from fire-related chemicals.”
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When lightning strikes are abundant, so are wildfires — some in remote places across the state. Scientists warn there may be more in the future.
Featured events
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Event
Cookbooks don’t just provide instructions for recipes; they connect food with storytelling, both visual and narrative, and are your kitchen guides to help create delicious memories with family and friends. Cookbook LIVE takes these stories from the page to the stage.
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Event
On October 11, comedian Drew Lynch (he/him), plus surprise guest experts will join J. Keith and Helen for a trivia show like no other!
Civics & Democracy
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A U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction, temporarily pausing a series of federal policies aimed at restricting certain immigrants’ access to public benefits and programs.
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The Los Angeles Police Department and Department of Homeland Security are barred from using weapons such as foam bullets and tear gas 'carte blanche' after a federal judge issued preliminary injunctions.
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The killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk Wednesday at a college in Utah is the latest in a series of politically motivated violent acts just in recent months.
Education
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Herb Alpert got his start playing trumpet in L.A.'s public schools. He wants to help make that "magic" possible for students.
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Over the past three years, Los Angeles Recreation and Parks has expanded opportunities for youths with disabilities to catch a wave, build confidence and learn water safety.
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Eighth grade students lost all gains in science since 2009, the first year the test was given.
Featured Podcast
The Huntington Beach library at the center of America’s culture wars
Censorship efforts at libraries nationwide has increased steadily over the last several years. In the 2023 - 24 school year, more than 10,000 book bans were counted in the country’s public schools. These efforts have become a cornerstone of a larger national debate over cultural influences and parents' rights to restrict those influences. LAist Orange County Correspondent Jill Replogle joins us to talk about how censorship efforts are playing out at the Huntington Beach library. We look at how the town’s conservative city council and residents are facing off over the council’s efforts to exert greater control over the library and how the choice to remove a few books from a library shelf can have far-reaching effects.
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• 32:06
Explore LA
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The 2025 Park Needs Assessment found where L.A. could use new parks and repairs to current ones. The draft plan is open for public comment through mid-October.
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Alfredo Ramos Martínez’s work has long been seen as apolitical. But this exhibition shows that he was deeply attuned to injustices around him.
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We hear from ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ author Rufi Thorpe on the inspiration behind the bestselling book that’s going to be a series starring Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer
Food
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After a public outpour of support, Cole’s says it's delaying its final closing date to November.
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Join us on Sept. 18 for our live event with Kiano Moju, author of AfriCali, recipes from my Jikoni.
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The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
More stories
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The changes Congress made will hit Covered California and likely drive up health insurance costs for 2 million Californians.
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The efforts are funded largely by a 2022 state allocation and other grants. The goal: protect students from pollution and heat, and teach ecology.
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NPR newsroom chief Edith Chapin says she's leaving the network. She made the announcement just days after Congress voted to strip public broadcasting of all federal funding.
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The breakfast burrito served up at Torrance Memorial Hospital is hearty, fresh — and cheap.
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Earth doesn't rotate exactly on schedule. Scientists believe that today is going to be about a millisecond short of a typical 24-hour day.
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The selection comes after CEO Va Lecia Adams Kellum announced her resignation in April.
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Nearly a third of Cal/OSHA positions were vacant last year, and a new state audit found that caused the agency to skip in-person inspections, even when workers were injured.
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A mixer to find that special someone for arguments about the dishes and who ate the last yogurt.
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CHLA cites pressure from the Trump administration to close the center, leaving patients with fewer options for gender-affirming care.
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Starting in January, the state offered more-generous leave benefits. Claims in the first two quarters this year were up about 16%, compared to the same time period last year.
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With the opening of the LAX Metro Transit Center, the K Line bucked the trend.
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City staffers are working on a report that explores how the city could pull its funds from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. But the report is long overdue.
Latest from our reporters
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