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Signs emerge of a deal that would end the government shutdown
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) walks past reporters without taking questions following remarks, on November 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
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Signs emerge of an emerging deal that would see the government emerge from shutdown
A legislative package to end the government shutdown appears on track Monday after a handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to break the impasse in what has become a deepening disruption of federal programs and services, the longest in history. What’s in and out of the bipartisan deal drew sharp criticism and left few senators fully satisfied. The legislation provides funding to reopen the government, including for SNAP food aid and other programs, while also ensuring backpay for furloughed federal workers the Trump administration had left in doubt.
With files from the Associated Press
Vertical video has found new life in micro dramas, following the end of Quibi
Since touchscreen phones became popular in the 2010s, watching vertical videos has become common. Yet it hasn’t been until this decade that we’ve seen a newfound interest in producing more vertical video-centric content, with the latest being micro dramas. Although streaming services like Quibi didn’t pay off, China’s surge in microdrama interest led companies to believe there might still be hope for vertical video reaching audiences on their phones. With the continued success of TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, which’ve invested in mobile-oriented viewing, there's optimism that investment in micro dramas could give the entertainment industry another way to connect with audiences. But will this investment pay off? What could vertical video mean for the entertainment industry at large? Helping to answer that question is Elaine Low, staff writer for The Ankler.
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Young adults are increasingly turning to AI for mental health advice. What are parents to do?
The use of AI among adolescents and young adults has increased over the years…concurrently, there’s been a growing mental health crisis in this age group. Now, a new study reveals that 1 in 8 U.S. adolescents and young adults are turning to generative AI for mental health advice. The behavior is most common among 18-21 year olds. Among those who used chatbots for mental health advice, 66% engage at least monthly, and over 93% reported that they found the advice helpful. Today on AirTalk, we’re talking about how parents can connect with their kids so that they don’t feel the need to seek counsel from AI. What approaches can they/we take to ensure our kids trust us and would want to confide in us. If this is something you’ve dealt with, I want to hear from you. Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com. Joining us for the conversation is Jennifer White, licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice based in LA.
How are Gen-Zers fairing in today's labor market?
For recent graduates just entering the job market, this year has proven to be a struggle. Not only do they find themselves competing with their peers but also the rise of AI in the workforce and a sea of experienced workers also on the hunt for a job. Additionally, a recent study found that entry-level opportunities have fallen 29% since January 2024. So what might this mean for young professionals? Joining us this morning to discuss creative methods young people can use to land that first job is Beth Hendler-Grunt, founder and president of Next Great Step. Are you a recent graduate or early-career professional looking for employment? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Checking in on SNAP benefits as the government shutdown continues
President Donald Trump’s administration returned to the Supreme Court on Monday in a push to keep full payments in the SNAP federal food aid program frozen while the government is shut down. The request is the latest in a flurry of legal activity over how a program that helps buy groceries for 42 million Americans should proceed during the historic U.S. government shutdown. Lower courts have ruled that the government must keep full payments flowing, and the Supreme Court asked the administration to respond after an appeals court ruled against it again late Sunday. President Donald Trump’s administration had demanded states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judicial orders in recent days, now that The Supreme Court has stayed those rulings, marking the latest swing in a seesawing legal battle over the anti-hunger program. The demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came as more than two dozen states warned of “catastrophic operational disruptions” if the Trump administration does not reimburse them for those SNAP benefits they authorized before the Supreme Court’s stay. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest developments with SNAP benefits amidst the government shutdown and how local LA food banks are managing. Joining us are Leah Douglas, agriculture & energy policy reporter at Reuters, and Omar Torres, Senior Director of Social Impact for YMCA LA.
What makes LA billboards culturally unique?
The great legacy of billboards can be traced back as far as the 1830s to a man named Jared Bell, who sought to advertise a circus on a large-format poster in New York. Since then, billboards have been used by all sorts of industries throughout history to spread information and to attract consumers. But here in LA, the sensory experience that billboards can offer is especially unique. In a traffic-jam-car-dominant culture, billboards are effective distractions for all of LA’s windshield dwellers. From the infamously iconic 70-foot-tall Marlboro Man on Sunset that got taken down in 1999, to the countless call-to-action personal injury lawyers — billboards, and the ideas they allude to, remain part of LA’s cultural and artistic significance to this day. Joining us to talk about the historical importance and current state of billboards in Los Angeles is Robert Landau, photographer and author of ‘Rock' N’ Roll Billboards.’ We also want to hear from you! What are some billboards in LA that you’ll never forget? Do you think billboards still have cultural power today? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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