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Mark Walter and Lakers ownership battle, prediction markets in elections, Jewish identity and more
Mark Walter, left, and Jeanie Buss, right, talk as the Lakers play the Chicago Bulls.
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Allen J. Schaben
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Getty Images
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Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses the latest on investigations into Mark Walter's finances and other L.A. sports stories, prediction markets in elections, Jewish identity and PetTalk.
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Trouble in L.A. — The Lakers ownership battle and the Clippers-Kawhi saga
The topic:
Recent reporting from The Wall Street Journal digs into questions surrounding Mark Walter’s finances. Walter acquired L.A.’s most premier sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and the Lakers just last year. Federal agents have been investigating Walter’s sports empire, primarily focusing on intermediaries between insurance companies and businesses, both of which Walter owned. Today on AirTalk, we talk about the latest on this and other sports news that’s rocking L.A.
Buss family issues surrounding Lakers sale: The once longstanding owners of the Lakers, the Buss family, may be selling all of their stake in the team. The siblings, who once held a majority stake in the team, sought to sell their remaining minority stake, but sibling Jeanie Buss has legally contested the decision.
Clippers vs. NBA: Over in Inglewood, L.A. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is dealing with a salary cap circumvention investigation of star player Kawhi Leonard after Leonard was able to capture additional income through different team sponsors. Despite ESPN’s latest reporting that no evidence links Ballmer with Leonard’s ability to increase his income, the NBA has stated that it will continue with its investigation into the Clippers owner.
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Guests:
- Justin Baer, deputy markets editor for The Wall Street Journal’s finance bureau and co-author of the piece The Web of Hidden Deals That Snared the Dodgers Owner in a Federal Probe
- Dan Woike, senior writer at The Athletic covering the Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction markets and elections — will it impact voter confidence?
Spencer Pratt speaks during an appearance on "Fox & Friends" at Fox News headquarters.
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Andy Kropa
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AP
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The topic:
This year’s Los Angeles mayoral primary election might serve as a key example of how prediction markets can impact voter perceptions. Based on prediction markets having Spencer Pratt in the top two running for quite some time, many questioned the legitimacy of him losing out. Could this be a sign prediction markets are impacting voter trust?
Election denial: In the case of Pratt’s loss, both Elon Musk and President Donald Trump contributed to questioning of the results — claims were then debunked by the Department of Justice.
Wisconsin v. Kalshi: Kalshi had pursued legal action against the state of Wisconsin for what it viewed as "voter suppression" — because the state doesn’t allow voters to wager on prediction markets, citing a 1849 law that prohibited betting on elections where you vote. So what is the legal standing for prediction markets and politics?
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Guests:
- Bobby Allyn, NPR technology correspondent who's been following this
- John Fortier, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
- Justin Levitt, professor of constitutional law at Loyola Marymount University
How do Jewish people consider their identity?
Participants at Shabbat services at Nefesh in Echo Park.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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The topic:
California lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow Jewish people to identify as an ethnic group for state data collection. But this proposal raises a bigger question about Jewish identity: What does it mean to be Jewish beyond religion? Today, we’ll talk about the many ways people understand Jewish identity and why certain distinctions can matter when we talk about who ‘counts’ as a Jewish person.
Join the conversation: We also want to hear from you! Are you a person of Jewish descent and/or faith? How do you identify with the community and has your understanding changed? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722 or email us atcomments@laist.com.
Guest:
- Bruce A. Phillips, professor of Sociology & Jewish Communal Service at Hebrew Union College and University Fellow at USC’s Center for Religion and Civic culture
PetTalk: your burning pet questions, answered
A dog drinking from a community water bowl in a dog park.
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Tim Sloan
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Getty Images
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The topic:
Why is Fido barking at 3 a.m.? Why has Mr. Whiskers' palette suddenly shifted away from his favorite wet food? Why is Fido STILL barking at 4 a.m.? 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!
Join the conversation: 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.
The vet is in: 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.
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Today on AirTalk: New Latino voter poll, Laguna Beach, tagging along to parents' workplaces, Head Start, the future of drone warfare and being homesick while traveling. -
LAist sat down with the owners of Ho Tok Korean Pocket Pancake to talk about the food they grew up with and the variety they provide for folks in Southern California. -
Today on AirTalk: new poll on voter opinion, tipping culture, HO TOK Korean Pocket Pancake, FilmWeek and a documentary on Mel Brooks.
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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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