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Cost saving advice, CA recycling changes, an unforgettable meal, state of concerts and more
Producer prices have risen 6% from a year earlier
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Kelly Jo Smart
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NPR
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Today's show: Austin Cross, filling in for AirTalk host Larry Mantle, discusses producer prices and how to manage costs, changes to plastic recycling in California, life changing meals, Chinese espionage history, the state of concerts, and white lies from our parents. Cross is LAist's local Morning Edition host and also hosts Friday AirTalk.
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Producer prices and how to manage costs
The topic:
U.S. wholesale inflation came in hot last month. Producer prices rose 6% from a year earlier, the highest point in more than three years, as the Iran war pushes up energy prices and intensifies pressure on companies to pass along their rising costs to consumers.
At the same time: Inflation on a consumer level, tracked by the consumer price index, also rose 3.8% from April 2025, the biggest jump in three years.
Why it matters: Both the consumer and producer price indexes point to the war having a lasting and elevated impact on prices in the near future, at a time when inflation was already above the Federal Reserve’s preferred 2% level.
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Today: We look at the latest inflation data, what it means for consumers, and how people can find more room in their budget.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
- Chris Low, chief economist at FHN Financial
Delia Fernandez, fee-only certified financial planner and investment advisor and president of Fernandez Financial Advisory, LLC in Los Alamitos
CA wants to change how we handle plastic waste
Bales of paper to be transferred for recycling at the Active Recycling Co., Inc. recycling center on Earth Day in Los Angeles, California on April 22, 2025.
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Patrick T. Fallon
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AFP
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The topic:
California has two laws that go into effect this year, enforcing changes to the production and labeling of plastics. Today on AirTalk, we revisit these bills and check in on how producers are adapting.
The laws in question: Senate Bill 343, which passed in 2021, sets criteria for recycling-related marketing on products. Senate Bill 54, passed in 2022, sets goals for production companies to cut single-use plastic and eventually go fully compostable/recyclable.
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When they’re enacted: SB 54 went into law on May 1, and SB 343 is set to go into effect on October 4.
Guest:
- Michael Coren, Washington Post climate advice columnist
Tell us about a meal that changed your life
The almond butter, bourbon, and jelly sandwich at Mohawk Bend.
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Gab Chabran
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LAist
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The topic:
If you’ve made it this far in life, you’ve had a bite or two. But every now and then there’s a meal that transcends past being just sustenance for your body, and becomes a touchstone for your entire life. So what’s the meal that changed your life?
Why it matters: Good food nourishes more than your body. Sharing a meal with a friend is one of the ways to build a deeper connection. Eating in a special place can leave lasting memories.
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Join the conversation: Call in and regale Austin with the tale of the meal that changed everything at 866-893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.
The history of Chinese espionage in California
Arcadia City Hall pictured Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
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Christina House
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Los Angeles Times
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The topic:
Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to charges accusing her of illegally serving the interests of the Chinese government. Wang resigned on Monday.
What happened: Wang, along with her colleague, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, ran a news website, U.S. News Center, that posted articles written and approved by Chinese government officials. Sun is currently serving a 4-year sentence under the same charge.
Larger history: The Chinese government has attempted to exert influence over California politics for years. Back in 2020, Chinese operative Christine Fang successfully inserted herself in the political circle of California Rep. Eric Swalwell. Yet, despite these cases of Chinese operatives infiltrating local politics in California, the main victims of Chinese surveillance continue to be Chinese Americans.
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Guest:
- Zach Dorfman, national security reporter and former Senior Staff Writer at the Aspen Institute's Cyber and Technology program
Are musicians catching ‘blue dot fever’? What it says about concerts
Zayn Malik performing onstage. He recently canceled his U.S. tour dates for his new album.
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Kevin Mazur
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Getty Images
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The topic:
Various musical artists have cancelled tour dates this year for a number of reasons, but sleuthing fans have noticed a connection – many of these canned appearances happened to be ones that had a lot of unsold seats (represented as blue dots on sites like Ticketmaster).
The allegation: Fans speculate the real reason behind these cancellations is purely economic and are dismissing whatever excuse an artist gives by instead saying they caught a case of “blue dot fever.”
Yes, but: Cancelling undersold shows is not a new phenomenon, but in our digital age, fans can peek behind the curtain of concert creation.
Guests:
- Mikael Wood, L.A. Times pop music critic
- Andrew Leff, associate professor of the music industry at University of Southern California
The lie your parents told you
What's a lie your parents told you or that you told your kids?
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iStockphoto
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iStockphoto
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The topic:
Parents lie to their kids sometimes. Maybe it's to protect them from harm or to avoid explaining a complicated topic they aren’t quite ready to learn yet. Or, perhaps, it's to keep them from doing some kind of unwanted behavior.
Join the conversation: What was a white lie your parents told you as a kid that you later realized wasn’t true? Did you believe them? How long did it take you to realize it was a fib? Do you use the same lie now with your kids? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
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Today on AirTalk: L.A. mayoral race; why this year’s gubernatorial race is different; DVD commentaries; Trump's China trip; the Las Vegas Sphere; cool AI stuff. -
Today on AirTalk: Hantavirus; U.K. politics; Soap operas; Tech layoffs; The D Line Extension; and puberty -
Today on AirTalk: Cybersecurity breach affects thousands of schools; what is the best advice from your mom? Food Friday; FilmWeek; and all the changes coming to the Oscars.
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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.
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