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AirTalk Oct. 16, 2026
Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses President Donald Trump's lawsuit against California over voter rolls, LA28 Cultural Olympiad, Saint & Second and FilmWeek.
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Trump administration sues California over voter rolls
The Trump administration sued California election officials Thursday, asking a judge to bar the state from counting mail-in ballots for next month’s midterm elections from people the federal government has identified as “likely” noncitizens until their immigration status can be confirmed.
Guest:
- Patrick Marley, reporter covering voting issues for the Washington Post
Did LA28 wait too long to plan its arts and culture festival?
At a state hearing this week on the 2028 “Cultural Olympiad,” the arts and culture programming that will accompany the coming Games in Los Angeles, lawmakers and experts testified on whether the city can pull off an arts festival in time.
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Guests:
- Zev Yaroslavsky, former L.A. County supervisor and director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs
- Libby Rainey, LAist reporter covering the Olympics
Saint & Second shares new fall menu
Saint & Second has made a name for itself as a local American bistro with a mix of locally sourced, hearty meals and an extensive alcohol menu. With the Fall season in full swing, the bistro has included ingredients like butternut squash, apples, and figs across its food and drinks. Today on AirTalk’s Food Friday, we dig into the menu with the local chain’s director of culinary.
Guest:
- Chris Sanchez, director of culinary at Saint & Second, an American bistro with locations in Belmont Shore, Woodland Hills, and Manhattan Beach
FilmWeek: 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'You Can See Everything,' 'La Bola Negra' and more
FilmWeek critics Lael Loewenstein and Tim Cogshell discuss the new reboot of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles, and You Can See Everything, the new documentary on Elizabeth Holmes from Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. They’ll also review La Bola Negra, winner of this year’s Best Director award at Cannes and Spain’s Best International Feature submission for the 2027 Oscars.
Guests:
- Lael Loewenstein, film critic for LAist
- Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com
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California wineries are dealing with a surplus, forcing them to sell premium bottles under cheaper retail rebranded labels. -
Chuck Lorre, creator of The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men and Young Sheldon, talks about his new memoir, Sitcom, and what nearly 40 years in TV comedy has taught him. -
LAUSD school closures, Mark Swed on his retirement, handling high-profile patrons, Triple Play, hospitality business after World Cup and TV Talk.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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