This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Earthquake overdue, national parks, picking a World Cup team and more
A bridge crosses over the San Andreas Fault from the Pacific to the North American tectonic plates.
(
Frederic J. Brown
/
Getty Images
)
Jump to
- Stress accumulation in the San Andreas fault and Cajon Pass
- $177 million in city tenant aid left in limbo
- What's in the aftermath of losing a child? A new memoir chronicles it all
- UK politics: Keir Starmer resigns as prime minister and 10 years since Brexit vote
- Visiting a national park this summer? Here’s what you should know
- How do you pick your World Cup team?
Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses a new study on the San Andreas fault, $177 million in tenant aid in limbo, new book on grief, UK politics, how national parks are doing as summer kicks off, and how fans choose their World Cup team.
Have a question or comment about a segment? Want to pitch us a story?
Fill out the form below, and please include an email address so we're able to follow up if necessary! We're not able to respond to every inquiry, but all submissions are read and reviewed by our production team.
Stress accumulation in the San Andreas fault and Cajon Pass
The topic:
New research published in the journal Earth and Space Science finds the stress accumulation across the San Andreas fault could lead to a large earthquake in Southern California. What can we take from these simulated findings?
The build-up: The last recorded "Big One" on the San Andreas Fault was back in 1857, with the fault accumulating stress since then.
The Cajon Pass: Based on the projected outcomes laid out in the study, the mountain pass between the San Bernardino Mountains to the east and the San Gabriel Mountains, could either stop a much larger earthquake from erupting across Southern California, or serve as a conduit to a larger-scale shake.
Sponsored message
Guest:
- Lucy Jones, seismologist at Caltech and founder and chief scientist at the Lucy Jones Center for Science & Society
$177 million in city tenant aid left in limbo
L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto is seen at a news conference.
(
Carlin Stiehl
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
The topic:
Los Angeles city housing officials are pushing back on allegations from the outgoing city attorney, who claims a legal aid provider has failed to comply with its taxpayer-funded contract to help tenants avoid eviction.
Why it matters: At stake in the dispute is $177 million — approved months ago by the mayor and City Council but still awaiting the city attorney’s signature — to help renters stay housed.
The dispute: For more than a year, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has refused to authorize new long-term funding for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, or LAFLA. Last Thursday (June 18), she told LAist the delay was due to the nonprofit’s alleged failure to account for how it spends city funds. LAFLA leaders strongly disputed those claims, saying they have provided detailed accountings of their caseloads and tenant outcomes. Officials with the L.A. Housing Department sent LAist their own statement, saying contract monitoring and reporting requirements have been upheld.
Sponsored message
With files from LAist
Guest:
- David Wagner, LAist housing correspondent
What's in the aftermath of losing a child? A new memoir chronicles it all
How did you experience grief?
(
busra İspir
/
iStockphoto
)
The topic:
In her new book, Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable (Infinite Books, 2026), journalist and author Danielle Crittenden takes readers through her own grieving process after the loss of her daughter, Miranda.
The journey: Crittenden's memoir chronicles the aftermath of her daughter's death from the day she got the news, to the funeral to the year following.
Sponsored message
Join the conversation: If you have been in Crittenden’s situation and would like to share your experience, you can call during the show at (866) 893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Guest:
- Danielle Crittenden, journalist and author of the book Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable
UK politics: Keir Starmer resigns as prime minister and 10 years since Brexit vote
British Prime Minister and Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks to supporters and councillors following local elections in London.
(
Leon Neal
/
Getty Images
)
The topic:
Britain is set to have its seventh prime minister in just 10 years, with Labour’s Keir Starmer announcing his resignation following a turbulent couple years. The revolving door of prime ministers first began with Conservative Party leader David Cameron, who left following voters' decision to leave the European Union.
Prime ministers since 2016: During the time the Conservative Party held power, their leaders included David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Keir Starmer eventually took over following the Labour Party’s 2024 victory.
Sponsored message
The last 10 years: Although economists have noted that Brexit has slowed economic growth for the United Kingdom, challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine have led to a more turbulent decade than expected.
Guests:
- Lauren Frayer, NPR London correspondent where she covers the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe
- Hugo Gye, British political correspondent for The Economist
Visiting a national park this summer? Here’s what you should know
Parking lots are filled to capacity during peak hours creating traffic congestion in Yosemite Valley National Park on June 14, 2026.
(
William Hale Irwin
/
Getty Images
)
The topic:
National Parks have taken a real hit in the past several years. Budget cuts at the federal level have led to severe staffing shortages across the country and an overall decrease by 25% to the agency's permanent workforce. Visitors have felt the impact — overflowing trash bins, long entry lines, etc. But what will summer 2026 be like?
Join the conversation: We’d love to hear from you. Have you visited a California national park recently? What was your experience? Call us at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Guests:
- John Garder, National Parks Conservation Association’s senior director of budget and appropriations
- Ray McPadden, superintendent of Yosemite National Park
How do you pick your World Cup team?
United States fans cheer after the U.S. scored their first goal in their World Cup match against Paraguay while watching the match at the FIFA Fan Festival at LA Memorial Coliseum on June 12, 2026.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
The topic:
This year’s World Cup tournament features 48 countries that are competing, marking the first time the competition has expanded to 48 teams, from the previous 32-team format. More representation on the field means more fans from around the world get a chance to support and root for the team they feel an affinity towards. But what exactly goes into that decision?
Join the conversation: We want to hear from you! How and why did you land on your team for this year’s World Cup? Are you supporting more than one country? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
-
Today on AirTalk: Boyle Heights fire, LAUSD superintendent resignation, L.A. Metro rapid transit, L.A. punk, and PetTalk. -
With the World Cup fully underway and the LA28 Olympics on the horizon, bathroom access is bound to cause a stir, but it wasn’t always like this. -
Today on AirTalk: Yesterday's Boyle Heights fire, how to handle conflict with neighbors, L.A. City Council takes up ballot measures, Smorgasburg LA, and TV Talk.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
