In Brief
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism.
Today on AirTalk, a plan for a massive expansion of the downtown convention center has been approved; two AI regulation bills are on Gov. Newsom's desk; what to know about executive functioning; how DOGE cuts impact CA's medical system; wearable tech, and what the best age for your kids is.
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• 1:39:08
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Claudia Puig review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. They also share thoughts on the passing of film icon Robert Redford, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 89.
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• 34:30
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The court of appeals said 21 of 23 quotes in an opening brief were fake. -
The Walt Disney Company announced Monday that the late-night host will return to the network. -
By some estimates, Altadena lost more than half of its tree canopy in the wake of the Eaton Fire. One young Altadenan wants us to share our stories about them. -
The suit raises questions about how the county is adhering to the law when it comes to detaining transgender individuals. -
The Long Beach Unified School District may soon empower its in-house safety officers to handle low-level offenses. -
The building opened in 1925 with a lot of fanfare, but it’s faced a lot of ups and downs since. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
There's a 'Jaws' exhibit at the Academy Museum, Camerata Pacifica’s new season kicks off, Eureka Day at Pasadena Playhouse and an America’s Best Test Kitchen live demo.
Climate Monday
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At the state’s top air regulator, Lauren Sanchez will replace Liane Randolph, taking the helm as California battles Trump, rising costs and the future of its climate agenda. -
Robert Fortunato's Green Idea House is one of the first net-zero energy case study houses built for less cost than standard construction. -
The program will launch later this fall, but the utility says it wants to gather community feedback on things like eligibility criteria first.
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Latest from the White House
Follow the fast-moving developments under the Trump Administration.
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President Trump and his deputies tied autism to acetaminophen use during pregnancy, presented a cancer drug as a possible treatment, and said the FDA would change labeling to reflect both claims. There is little strong scientific evidence for either. -
Organizers say the rally was meant to defend free speech and to protest recent FCC actions. -
At a service focused on Kirk's conservative Christian faith, President Trump described the late 31-year-old as the "greatest evangelist for American liberty" as Kirk's widow forgave the alleged gunman.
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. -
More intense future wildfires, fueled by further climate change, could lead to 70,000 deaths from smoke exposure a year, according to a new study. -
USC and L.A. County soil experts will be on site Saturday, Sept. 20, to teach residents about testing their properties for lead.
Featured events
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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!
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Event
After the January fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades leveled more than 12,000 homes and businesses, the two communities are still grappling with the lingering effects of the disaster and trying to find ways to move forward. On October 14, we’ll focus on Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities. AirTalk host Larry Mantle will talk with guests about what the road to rebuilding looks like and how best to navigate this new reality.
Civics & Democracy
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California unions are at odds and spending heavily in an election at CalPERS, the pension fund that provides retirement benefits to 2 million people. -
More than half a million high-skilled U.S. workers are in the country through the H-1B program, which is heavily used by the big tech companies trying to curry favor with the president. -
The Pentagon is implementing new guidelines that will require journalists to sign a pledge and agree to report only approved and officially released information.
Education
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Since 1972, the CAMP program has helped tens of thousands of migrant students succeed in college. The Trump administration has cut off funding for it, forcing some colleges to reduce or eliminate services. -
Families say the process of choosing a school for their child is bewildering, overwhelming and anxiety-driven. So we made a guide to help. -
As UC leaders grapple with how to respond to research grant cuts and a potential billion-dollar penalty, some are taking a defensive stand.
Featured Podcast
Why California's protest law is flawed and the consequences to protesters
After the George Floyd protests of 2020, California took steps to reign in violent policing of protests by passing laws restricting how law enforcement uses less-lethal weapons, like tasers and rubber bullets. But high profile protests in 2024 and 2025 – including this summer’s protests against the ICE raids in Los Angeles – have revealed major flaws in those laws. LAist Senior Editor Jared Bennett joins us to talk about an investigation around these flaws and what they mean for people exercising their right to free speech.
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• 24:29
Explore LA
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Rufi Thorpe’s "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" is set in Fullerton. We asked the author about her local inspirations and essential SoCal reads. -
Of the more than 1,300 Historic-Cultural Monuments designated since 1962, less than 2% recognize women's contributions. The new L.A. Women's Landmarks Project aims to amend that. -
The biannual event promises exciting trains big, small, and virtual for all locomotive fans.
Food
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Groceries saw their biggest jump in nearly three years last month, a worrisome sign for inflation-weary shoppers. Tariffs are contributing to higher prices for imported staples like bananas and coffee. -
The restaurant reopened last month, bringing back the mole, chilaquiles, café de olla and community ties that made it a neighborhood gem. -
European-style beers are being paired with Japanese ingredients like matcha and yuzu to create unique pours.
More stories
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School board officials say it's seen more students opt into its Virtual Academy as the ongoing immigration activity continues across the region. -
As LA's outside legal costs balloon, the city attorney is asking the City Council to authorize payment. -
The Department of Justice is asking states and counties across the country to hand over sensitive information about people on their voter rolls. -
The entire $6.8 billion in education funds that had been abruptly withheld from states by the administration a few weeks before the start of the school year will be released by October. -
The construction work is part of a $143.7 million plan to rehabilitate pavement between Van Nuys and Westwood along the Sepulveda Pass. -
Once crowded with families shopping for candy, piñatas and party supplies, the Piñata District now struggles as fear of immigration sweeps keeps customers away. -
Over $17 million has already been raised to support and oppose Prop. 50, California’s congressional redistricting measure. We fill you in on how to track the money ahead of the special election on Nov. 4. -
When it closes next year, Norco city leaders hope to restore the correctional facility to an upscale resort again. -
A whistleblower complaint says the personal data of over 300 million Americans was copied to a private cloud account to allow access by former members of the Department of Government Efficiency team. -
Temperatures should be a couple of degrees warmer today, but the cool down continues Thursday. -
Wildfires can contaminate drinking water with toxic chemicals, which federally mandated testing is not designed to catch. Into that regulatory void has stepped Andrew Whelton, an engineering professor at Purdue University who has made it his personal mission to help water utilities recover after devastating fires. -
A new episode on Imperfect Paradise goes over the case.
Latest from our reporters
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