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Californians are later to homeownership, wealth tax, dogs in restaurants, TV Talk and more
Home prices hit a record high in May even as home sales fell. High interest rates are keeping many would-be buyers and sellers on the sidelines.
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Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses a new study on late homeownership, beliefs around modern marriage, the latest on California's wealth tax, dogs in restaurants and TV Talk.
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A new analysis finds Californians are buying houses later in life than their peers
The topic:
A new analysis from The Public Policy Institute of California found that living in California may mean forgoing homeownership longer. Californians buy homes later in life than people elsewhere in the country, and later than residents used to in the Golden State.
Join the conversation: How were you able to buy your first home? Are you saving for something or does homeownership in California feel like an impossibility? Join the conversation by calling (866) 893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
Read more: Most Californians turn from renters to homeowners by age 47. In other states, it’s 36
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Guests:
- David Wagner, LAist housing correspondent
- Marisol Cuellar Mejia, senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California
A new book examines the idealized myths around marriage
How have your thoughts on marriage changed?
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The topic:
Marriage historian and author Stephanie Coontz examines our contradictory beliefs around modern marriage and gender roles in her new book For Better and Worse. She argues that our nostalgia for a 1950s ideal marriage is a result of our current economic insecurity, but that this is ultimately a false promise.
Join the conversation: We want to hear from you! How does your marriage differ from your parents or previous generations? And how have your perceptions around marriage changed over time? Give a call at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Guest:
- Stephanie Coontz, director of research and public education for the Council on Contemporary Families and author of the new book For Better and Worse: The Complicated Past and Challenging Future of Marriage (Viking, 2026)
Who's supporting and opposing California's wealth tax?
A man's shirt and sticker are displayed at the Billionaire Tax Now booth at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
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Jeff Chiu
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The topic:
The California Democratic party has thrown its support behind the one-time wealth ballot measure that voters will weigh in on this November. Today on AirTalk, we look at the state of the campaigns behind the ballot measure.
Big-name opposition: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is one of the most prominent voices, particularly among Democrats in the state capitol, against the bill. He’s joined by both of his potential successors, gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton.
Legislative Analyst's Office insights: In its analysis, the state's nonpartisan office on fiscal policy notes that although there would be a boost in revenue, it also lays out the potential for long-term loss in state revenue.
Guests:
- Guy Marzorati, California politics correspondent for KQED who's been following this
- Michael Trujillo, Democratic strategist
Do dogs belong in restaurants?
How do you feel about dogs in restaurants?
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The topic:
A recent survey of diners shows that nearly half of diners want to bring their pups to restaurants, with a majority of Zoomers saying they want restaurants to be pet-friendly. Today on AirTalk, we ask listeners — do they think dogs should be in places where we prepare and eat food?
Background: Pet adoption surged during the pandemic, but pet etiquette did not. Post-pandemic, there are reports showing owners are less likely to put their dogs on leashes in some metros, and dog bites are up nearly 50%. And also, you know, the county does not allow pets inside restaurants.
Yes, but: The law and social norms have not stopped many an Angeleno from bringing their dog into restaurants, grocery stores and other food-serving establishments.
Join the conversation: Today on AirTalk, we want to hear from you! Do you flout the law and bring your dog into restaurants? Or are you aware of your place in a broader society that benefits from adhering to social norms and the law? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722, or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Guest:
- Nicolas Perez, LAist producer who is against dogs going into restaurants and has been admonished by his peers for this opinion
TV-Talk: ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4, ‘The Shards,’ ‘Sterling Point’ and more!
What are you watching?
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The topic:
Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching.
TV Shows:
- Ted Lasso Season 4 (Apple TV+)
- The Shards (FX | Hulu)
- Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi (Disney+| Hulu)
- Sterling Point (Amazon Prime Video)
- Anna Pigeon (USA Network)
Guests:
- Steve Greene, freelance television critic
- Liz Shannon Miller, senior entertainment editor at Consequence
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Today on AirTalk: SoCal Edison equipment caused Eaton Fire, Utah monument reductions, West End resurgence, latest AI news and prettiest California towns. -
Today on AirTalk: Do public figures owe us explanations? L.A. Metro homelessness, PDA, Michigan's primary elections, 3D-printed guns and what gets us to the movie theatres. -
Today on AirTalk: The Dodgers trade, a new Colorado River plan, Gianni Infantino's FIFA future, Adelanto detention center, SoCal military academies and summer jobs.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
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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.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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