Recapping the 2026 Grammy Awards

Recapping the 2026 Grammy Awards

Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for his critically-acclaimed “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” closing out a surprising and history-making night. It is the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize. Other winners from music’s big night include Los Angeles’s very own, Kendrick Lamar, for Luther, while song of the year went to Billie Eilish and Finneas for Wildflower. Speeches ended up being quite political, with Eilish and Bad Bunny commenting on the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in many communities across the nation. Joining us to sum up this year’s Grammys was Mikael Wood, pop music critic for the Los Angeles Times.

With files from the Associated Press

A check in on the 2026 California Governor’s race

As we enter the second month of 2026, California’s gubernatorial race is still lacking a clear front-runner with it being reported that for the first time in more than 25 years, the majority of voters are undecided heading into the primary season. Last Thursday, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced he’s joining the crowded race for California governor, casting himself as a moderate Democrat with a track record of tackling some of the state’s most persistent issues, including homelessness and crime. Months ahead of the June primary, no Democrat has emerged as a clear frontrunner. The race includes former Biden administration Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, former U.S. House member Katie Porter, and U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, among others. Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton have also announced their bids. Here to walk us through the latest on the California governor’s race is Seema Mehta, LA Times reporter who’s been following the 2026 gubernatorial contest and Sara Sadhwani, politics professor at Pomona College.

With files from the Associated Press.

How old is too old to sleep with a stuffed animal?

Through the cold, dark nights they stand as sentinels against our deepest primal fears and offer comfort with their plush exteriors. At least, that’s how it felt anyways as a kid right? Clinging to ole teddy the bear while snuggled up in bed, his very presence making the dark feel just a tad bit less scary as he ushered you into dreamland. Stuffed animals have been around nearly as long as civilization itself, with the Romans even employing them. But throughout history, they’ve been reserved for the youngest amongst us — the kiddos. But as many an AirTalk producer will tell you, old habits die hard, and it’s not that easy to give up sleeping with your stuffie just because you turned 10… or 11… or 16. So today on AirTalk, we’are turning the question over to you: how old is too old to sleep with a stuffed animal? When did you stop sleeping with Mr. Teddsworth? At what age did you take away your kid’s catnap companion? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Here’s how state legislators are trying to address insurance-related problems post-LA fires

As we pass the one year mark for Palisades and Eaton fire victims, Southern Californians have continued to face challenges with their insurance providers. For many, insurance providers have been slow to make payments, making it difficult to pay their bills and the cost of living, let alone rebuild. Tied to these concerns, and others, state legislators have been pushing to update the regulations California has over insurance providers working within the state. Today on AirTalk, we’ll discuss four bills making their way through the legislature and how they could impact California insurance policies if passed. Joining us today for this conversation is Levi Sumagaysay, economy reporter for CalMatters.

How is the Bari Weiss CBS era shaping up?

Addressing her staff three months into her job as CBS News boss, Bari Weiss on Tuesday invoked legendary newsman Walter Cronkite as a symbol of old thinking and said that if the network continues with its current strategy, “we’re toast.” Weiss announced the hiring of 18 new contributors and said CBS News needs to do stories that will “surprise and provoke — including inside our own newsroom.” Weiss, founder of the Free Press website and without broadcast news experience before being hired by CBS parent Paramount’s new management, has quickly become a headline-maker and polarizing figure in journalism.

With files from the Associated Press. 

SoCal History: How Tom Bradley became a trailblazer, Los Angeles's longest-serving mayor

Across the long list of Los Angeles City mayors, not many have been able to build up the kind of resume Tom Bradley was able to, having served 20 years in the position. Having been a councilmember for much of the 1960s, his first attempt to become mayor was unsuccessful, having lost to fellow Democrat Sam Yorty in 1969. After serving another term in the city council, he would eventually win the 1973 mayoral race, with a diverse coalition of Angelenos that became an important aspect of city politics for the years to come. What followed was a 20-year tenure that helped shape the direction of the city through its public planning and transportation. For today’s SoCal history segment on AirTalk, we decided to look at Bradley’s political career and legacy with Raphe Sonenshein, Executive director of the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, and Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.