In the face of federal funding cuts, LA County considers new sales tax to fill gap
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider a proposal to place a plan on the ballot that, if passed, would raise the sales tax by half a cent to address federal funding cuts. The increase would bump the county’s sales tax to 10.25% — the highest allowed by state law. L.A. County faces projected losses of $2.4 billion over the next three years as a result of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” most of it to the county’s healthcare system. In just four months following the bill’s signing, the county lost an average of 1,000 people per day from Medi-Cal enrollment — over 120,000 people between July and November 2025, according to Supervisor Holly Mitchell. During the same four-month period, more than 27,000 children under age 18 lost their Medi-Cal coverage, equating to nearly 200 children per day, according to Mitchell. The county also lost more than 70,000 CalFresh enrollees receiving food assistance, including approximately 27,000 who were children under age 18. For more on this, we turn to Susan Shelley, opinion columnist and editorial writer for the OC Register and L.A. Daily News and VP of Communications for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and Shana Charles, associate professor of public health at CSU Fullerton and councilmember for the city of Fullerton.
With files from LAist
Meta’s smart glasses are posing serious privacy concerns
Meta glasses are having a moment — booming sales have forced a pause in rolling them out to consumers earlier this year in the United States. These devices, which look nearly identical to regular eyewear, are growing rapidly in popularity, fueled by social media and influencer culture. However, the new tech doesn't come without its risks for misuse, particularly in the space of privacy, surveillance, and consent. Recent investigations highlight a trend of so-called “manfluencers” secretly recording women in public spaces — without their consent — and posting their encounters with them online. While Meta says its glasses include visible recording indicators and safeguards against misuse, critics warn that laws in the U.S. and U.K. largely permit filming in public spaces and argue that legislation has failed to keep up with the rise in surveillance tech like Meta glasses and Ring doorbells, leaving many unwilling people to bear the cost of an innovation they did not necessarily want to be a part of. Joining us to talk about the implications of this technology is Beryl Lipton, Electronic Frontier Foundation Senior Investigative Researcher. We are also joined by UC Berkeley Law professor and Chair of the California Privacy Agency Jennifer Urban. We also want to hear from you! What are your privacy concerns with this new technology? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
How do we fix education? A new book has some ideas
What is the most pressing issue of our time? In his new book, journalist James Traub travels around the country visiting public schools and exploring how history and civics are taught – or not taught. Traub argues that we need to restore healthy debate and depth in our classrooms rather than offer simple narratives. Looking towards the future, he offers a vision for a more engaged classroom and better prepared students to take on the world’s big issues. James Traub, author of the new book “The Cradle of Citizenship: How Schools Can Help Save Our Democracy,” joins us today on AirTalk.
Food delivery took off during the pandemic. Where does it stand today?
Food delivery surged during the pandemic as lockdowns and social distancing turned meals at home from a convenience into a necessity. With restaurants closed to dine-in service, apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates became lifelines for consumers and struggling restaurants. It also created a new side hustle for delivery drivers. But similar to working remotely, ordering food has become a mainstay and has changed the landscape of the restaurant industry, reshaped how people eat, and how we think about access to food. Joining us today on AirTalk is Jonathan Maze, editor in chief of Restaurant Business and Chad Moutray, chief economist at the National Restaurant Association. Are you a delivery driver? A restaurant owner? Or someone who just orders take out a lot? We want to hear from you. Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com
PetTalk: Following the Puppy Bowl and Westminster Dog Show, we answer listeners vet-related questions
Why is Fido barking at 3am? Why has Mr. Whiskers’ palette suddenly shifted away from his favorite wet food? Why is Fido STILL barking at 4am? These are all valid questions, but also maybe ones not worth an entire trip to the vet. So today on AirTalk, we’re bringing the vet to you! What are some burning pet care questions you have about your family’s furriest member? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com. Joining to help answer your questions is John Tegzes, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and professor of Health Systems Sciences at Western University of Health Sciences; he is also a board-certified specialist in toxicology.
