Olympics check-in: Ticket presale starts today, latest on LA28 financing and more

Olympics check-in: Tickets pre-sale starts today, latest on LA28 financing, and more 

A key agreement outlining what city services Los Angeles will provide for the 2028 Olympic Games and how the cash-strapped city will be reimbursed for its extra work is now six months late. High-stakes talks over that agreement between the city and the private Olympics organizing committee LA28 have dragged far past an Oct. 1 deadline, sparking concern from city officials and observers that taxpayer dollars could be on the line. City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who audits and scrutinizes city finances, called the delay "deeply troubling." Today on AirTalk, we’ll be talking to LAist reporter Libby Rainey about the delay in this agreement, what listeners should expect for the presale ticket lottery for the games, and additional reporting she’s doing on the 2028 Olympics.

With files from LAist.

New research digs into microplastic research and questions around contamination

Researchers from the University of Michigan recently released a paper digging into just how prevalent microplastics could be in our daily lives. Particularly as some researchers have looked to grapple with how overestimated some reports can be, this latest paper shares how common procedures could lead to contamination of microplastics research. Today on AirTalk, we’ll dig into where the research stands with microplastic consumption and how this new paper fits into the greater conversation. Joining us today is lead author Madeline Clough, Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry at the University of Michigan, and Anne McNeil professor of chemistry, as well as macromolecular science and engineering at the University of Michigan.

Can embracing heat make us healthier?

Could infrared sauna therapy be an effective tool against depression? New research into our bodies’ ability to adapt to heat is changing the way we think about working out and living well. Science writer and author Bill Gifford embarked on an international journey to learn about the cutting-edge of heat research and made himself a test subject in the process. He joins Larry to talk about his book, Hotwired: How the Hidden Power of Heat Makes Us Stronger (Harper Wave, 2026), and the ways we can all harness the benefits of heat.

Artemis II heads toward voyage around the moon

Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon on Wednesday, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century and the thrilling leadoff in NASA’s push toward a landing in two years. Carrying three Americans and one Canadian, the 32-story rocket rose from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where tens of thousands gathered to witness the dawn of this new era. Crowds also jammed the surrounding roads and beaches, reminiscent of the Apollo moonshots in the 1960s and ’70s. It is NASA’s biggest step yet toward establishing a permanent lunar presence. Joining us to report the latest updates on the mission is Joey Roulette, space reporter for Reuters.

With files from the Associated Press

What makes a good movie or TV adaptation of a video game?

Since their inception, video games have been intertwined with its media counterparts: movies and television. There have been countless games like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Lion King, and Hercules which attempted to capitalize on the success of a cinematic experience by breathing some interactivity into it. But until recently, the reverse wasn't as widespread. Movie adaptations of popular game franchises like the Streetfighter series were not seen as more than flicks by moviegoers, and not seen as solid adaptations by game fans. But in the last decade, Hollywood has found a better groove in transforming the interactivity of games into more than just passive narratives on screens, with breakout success like the The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie. Today on AirTalk, we dig into what's changed for video game adaptations with Gene Park, culture critic for The Washington Post, covering video games and gaming culture. We also want to hear from you! What's your favorite video game adaptation? What made it stand out, and why? On the other hand, what's one that you think just did not cut it? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.

TV Talk: ‘Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen,’ ‘Sunny Nights,’ ‘Detective Hole,’ and more!

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. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching withAngie Han, TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter and Liz Shannon-Miller, senior entertainment editor at Consequence.
TV SHOWS:

• Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen [Limited Series] (Netflix) 
• Sunny Nights [Season 1] (Hulu) 
• Julio Torres: Color Theories (HBO MAX)
• Detective Hole [Season 1 ] (Netflix)
• The Faithful: Women of the Bible [3 part series] (Hulu)