Jet fuel and its consequences have been a disaster for the traveling public

Jet fuel and its consequences have been a disaster for the traveling public

A looming jet fuel shortage in Europe and Asia could compound the Iran war’s impact on world travel within weeks if a fragile agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz collapses, making higher airfares and flight cancellations even more likely as the summer travel season approaches. The oil market is expected to take months to recover from shipment disruptions, and fuel prices typically take longer to fall than prices for crude. In a sign of the conflict’s ongoing repercussions for airlines and their passengers, Air Canada said Friday it was canceling service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport between June and October due to surging jet fuel costs. Jet fuel — a refined kerosene-based oil product — is airlines’ highest cost, making up about 30% of overall expenses, according to the International Air Transport Association. And jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the war began. Shortages could start next, and there is no clear end to the war in sight. For more on how travel will be impacted in the near and long term, we are joined by Ben Lefebvre, energy reporter focused on business and politics at POLITICO; he tweets @bjlefebvre.

Checking in on California’s protection for marine life

More than a decade after California began setting aside patches of ocean for conservation, change could be coming to its marine protected areas. The state is considering a variety of changes to the network — a few proposals shrink those areas or remove certain protections, while most propose expanding existing protected areas or adding new ones. The levels of protection can range from a total ban on commercial fishing and certain recreational activities, to highly limited allowances. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is in the process of reviewing more than a dozen proposals from tribes, environmental groups, the fishing industry and other stakeholders. Joining us to get into the proposals, as well as what it means for local marine life, is LAist senior reporter Erin Stone, and Kyle Cavanaugh, professor of geography at UCLA.

With files from LAist; read Erin’s reporting by clicking here.

Some colleges are implementing three year bachelor’s degrees. What does that look like?

For most college students it is hard to complete a B.A. in the standard four years. Now, several institutions across the country are adapting their 120 credit degrees to 90 credits, in an effort to decrease the time spent in college to three years. These truncated curriculums are only being rolled out for certain degrees, mainly for criminal justice, health science, and graphic design. These three year programs started this fall, so it is still unknown how successful these degrees are at shortening the time to graduation, but with universities facing budget cuts and decreased enrollment rates, administrators are hopeful for a change. Today on AirTalk we discuss what these three year degrees are and some of the limitations they may pose. We’re joined by Jon Marcus, senior higher education reporter for The Hechinger Report, and Maria Toyoda, president and CEO of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Prediction market explainer: How do they work? 

If you follow sports and politics, you’ve likely noticed an increased uptick in accounts referencing data pulled from prediction markets. Whether it’s predictions on who our next governor will be, or how many points LeBron James will score in a game, these platforms have been inviting users to wager, with the chance to get a profit. Although many have noted their similarities to sportsbooks, they are regulated differently. Today on AirTalk, we’ll help explain what prediction markets are with Bobby Allyn, NPR technology correspondent, and Joshua Mitts, professor of law at Columbia University, whose research focuses on informed trading in financial markets and related topics.

What’s going on with SoCal’s stage theater scene?

In the ever-sprawling Southland, Los Angeles is home to a variety of different small theater hubs across the region. These small theaters, frequently dubbed “intimate theaters,” are defined by having 99 seats or fewer and are regulated by the Actors’ Equity Association agreements. They are often stomping grounds for up-and-coming stage performers that feature up-close performances for audiences, typically offering original, experimental, and creative space for up and coming talent. These venues don’t shy away from the ‘if you know you know’ model, as many of them are a gate-kept secret by their loyalists. Today on AirTalk, we’re checking in on the indie theater scene with Kevin Crust, assistant editor for entertainment and arts for the L.A. Times, and Anita Harris, editor for L.A. Theatrix and columnist for “Theater News” at the Long Beach Post. We also want to hear from you! If you are a frequent theater-goer in Southern California, let us know what you think is worth seeing, from the main stages to the small playhouses, where you would recommend. Give us a call at 866 893 5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

New documentary explores the role of Yiddish theater in American Jewish culture

The new documentary Immigrant Songs: Yiddish Theater and the American Jewish Experience explores the tradition of Yiddish theater in the United States: a frequently overlooked but defining part of many American Jews’ experience in the 20th century. A new revival of interest in the Yiddish language and Yiddish theater is sparking a resurgence in Yiddish theater traditions, with The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene's critically acclaimed Yiddish language production of Fiddler on the Roof coming to Los Angeles in February 2027. Joining guest host Julia Paskin to discuss the new documentary and the history of Yiddish theater are Jeff Janeczko, director, co-writer, and co-producer of the documentary and Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene.

Immigrant Songs: Yiddish Theater and the American Jewish Experience is available on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla, and the Naxos Video Library.