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Fireworks vs drones, what's after Hollywood, the decline of kelp and more
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Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses fireworks and drones, what's after Hollywood for people leaving the industry, an investigative story into Skid Row deaths, the decline of kelp and TV Talk.
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Fireworks versus Drones
The topic:
Fireworks and the Fourth of July have been synonymous for decades, but new competition from flashy drone shows and environmental concerns are threatening this dominance in California.
Where you can find fireworks: If you can’t imagine the Fourth without fireworks, don’t fear! LAist has a list of fireworks shows in L.A. and Orange counties.
Join the conversation: Are you planning on lighting some fireworks on Saturday? Have you previously hosted a fireworks extravaganza, but pared back due to fire concerns or your pets? Call us at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
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Where do actors, gaffers, and other industry workers go when their career fades?
The Hollywood sign in January 2024. Production in Hollywood has been declining.
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The topic:
Hollywood's been through it. Layoffs, runaway production, the aftermath of the recent strikes and some in the industry have had enough and walked away. Today on AirTalk, we take a look at the state of the people who have had to leave the industry.
A bleak picture: From 2022 to 2024 alone, an estimated 42,000 entertainment film and television jobs left the state. A recent piece in The Ankler looks at the paths those who have left the industry have taken.
Join the conversation: Have you left the entertainment industry? What did you find yourself doing? If you think you may leave soon, what’s on your mind as you ride through these tough times? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Guests:
- David Eckstein, writer based in Los Angeles. His piece for The Ankler is "Roll Credits: What’s Next After a Hollywood Career Fades"
- Justin Comins, owner of custom furniture company Wylie's Wood & Leather. He spent 20 years as a television executive developing series for Netflix, HBO, National Geographic, and Discovery
New investigation looks into Skid Row deaths – here’s why it’s important
Tents and motorhomes in L.A.'s Skid Row area of downtown.
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The topic:
An investigation by LAist and The LA Local found that at least 278 of the city’s unhoused residents have been shot and killed since 2015, according to an analysis of data from the Los Angeles Police Department. Once rare, gunfire is now the primary means by which killers take the lives of unhoused people in the city.
An undercount: However, our analysis of records from the L.A. County Medical Examiner shows that’s an undercount. We found an additional two dozen fatal shootings from 2024 and 2025 that do not appear to be included in LAPD data. Medical examiner records are not exhaustive either — the office estimates that about 20% of deaths among the county’s unhoused population aren’t reported to their department.
The motives: Court records and people who spoke with LAist and The LA Local attributed these shootings to gangs and the dangers of the underground drug economy. Other sources and legal proceedings point to a rise of “predators,” “outsiders” or “vigilantes” — people who kill because they view unhoused people as easy targets and less than human.
With files from LAist
Guest:
- Jared Bennett, LAist immigration and law enforcement correspondent
- Alain Stephens, freelance reporter who worked on the investigation
Why kelp forests matter and what happens if they keep disappearing
Giant kelp in Monterey Bay, California.
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The topic:
David Helvarg has written multiple books connected to California’s coast. His latest book Forest of the Sea focuses on kelp forests and the serious concerns they face with climate change. With warming climates, the book digs into how this could ruin a whole underwater ecosystem, while also sharing what’s been done to solve this.
The data: From 2014 - 2016, kelp decline coincided with a massive heatwave, with climate conditions making it difficult for kelp to grow at its typical rates. At the same time, sea urchins began to grow across the California coast, with the invasive species eating through the kelp.
Reforestation and protection: To counter the environmental issues plaguing local kelp forests, fisherman across the state helped hunt much of these sea urchins, helping with dwindling their numbers. Along with these, a replanting effort by scientists, planting lab grown bull kelp, helped restore the population in the years since.
Guest:
- David Helvarg, executive director of Blue Frontier, an ocean conservation and policy group and author of the new book Forest of the Sea: The Remarkable Life and Imperiled Future of Kelp (Island Press, 2026)
TV Talk: ‘Zorro,’ ‘X-Men ‘97,’ ‘Elle’ and more!
What are you watching this week?
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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:
- Zorro [Limited Series] (MHz)
- X-Men '97 [Season 2] (Disney+)
- Elle [Season 1] (Prime Video)
- The Bear (Season 5 Finale) (FX)
- World Cup: Round of 32
- FIFA World Cup After Hours with James Corden (FOX)
Guests:
- Liz Shannon Miller, senior entertainment editor at Consequence
- Dominic Patten, executive editor at Deadline Hollywood
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Today on AirTalk: November ballot measures, divorce after 65, L.A. city's streetlight budget, LeBron James and American ideals. -
Today on AirTalk: Birthright citizenship, World Cup knockout rounds, Soccernomics, transgender athletes, student loans, and more. -
With KNX's shift last month back to AM radio only, we asked Southern Californians to share their memories of listening to the radio.
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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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