This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Current lead governor candidate Steve Hilton, O’Brien's Irish Pub readies for World Cup, and more
Supporters of Steve Hilton, a candidate for California governor, wave hats in the air at an election night party in Huntington Beach on June 2, 2026.
(
Libby Rainey
/
LAist
)
Today on AirTalk: Steve Hilton currently leads the governor race, Tournament of Roses president, O'Briens Irish Pub in Santa Monica, and FilmWeek.
The latest on the ongoing election count
The topic:
Three days after polls closed, California is still counting ballots, and the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom remains unsettled. We check the latest numbers and talk with Republican candidate Steve Hilton about where his campaign stands.
Listen
17:27
Listen to the conversation:
Guests: Steve Hilton, Republican candidate for governor, and Frank Stoltze, LAist civics and democracy correspondent
Context: California's universal vote-by-mail system means counting stretches for weeks, with nearly one million votes across L.A. and the O.C. outstanding. Steve Hilton, alongside Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer are all vying for one of two spots on the general election ballot.
Why it matters: No Republican has won a statewide race in California since 2006. If Hilton's lead holds, voters get a sharp left-right choice for governor in November, and the still-uncalled second spot will define the matchup.
Also happening: Incumbent L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is projected to face either Spencer Pratt, who currently leads the vote count, or Nithya Raman, who’s closing the gap with successive ballot drops and may have a viable, albeit narrow, path forward.
Sponsored message
Guests:
- Steve Hilton, Republican candidate for governor, former Fox News host and director of strategy for British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012
- Frank Stoltze, LAist civics and democracy correspondent
Tournament of Roses president joins AirTalk
The Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Rose Court performs at the 136th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
(
Damian Dovarganes/AP
/
AP
)
The topic:
As the first openly gay President in the history of Pasadena’s Tournament of the Roses, Terry Madigan has led the organization in all capacities from hosting, judging, and operations. Today, Larry speaks with him on the organization’s evolution.
Listen
7:38
Listen to the conversation:
Guest: Terry Madigan, President and Chairman of the Board for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
2027 parade preview: The theme for next year’s Rose Parade is “Welcome,” which reflects the ways Madigan says he approaches life by being kind and accepting.
Sponsored message
Guest:
- Terry Madigan, President and Chairman of the Board for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
World Cup pub crawl: O'Brien's Irish Pub
The topic:
O'Brien's Irish Pub includes menu items like a full Irish breakfast and an Irish coffee.
(
Courtesy Willy O'Sullivan
)
If you’re wondering where a great place to watch the upcoming World Cup is on the west side of L.A. — particularly if you can’t break the bank for a ticket — there’s O’Brien's Irish Pub in Santa Monica. It’s been around for decades and has been open at all kinds of hours for matches. In our ongoing series highlighting local pubs, we speak to the owner.
Listen
9:45
Listen to the conversation:
Guest: Willy O'Sullivan, owner of O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Santa Monica
Restaurant details:
- First opened in May 1994, O'Brien's was founded by Cork City native Willy O'Sullivan.
- O’Brien’s has Irish pub classics, including Fish & Chips, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and a Full Irish Breakfast.
- It’s best known for hosting the local Manchester United F.C. fan club, Los Angeles Red Army. They also host supporters groups for Leeds United and the New York Giants.
Location and hours:
Sponsored message
Address: 2226 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90403
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 a.m.; Thursday-Friday 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 a.m.; Saturday opening varies, closes at 1:30 a.m.; Sunday opening varies, closes at 2:00 a.m.
FilmWeek: ‘Masters of the Universe,’ ‘Renoir,’ ‘Scary Movie,’ and more!
Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Adam in the new Masters of the Universe movie.
(
Courtesy Amazon MGM Studios
)
The Topic:
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
Listen
31:30
Listen to the conversation:
The critics: LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Claudia Puig
Sponsored message
The films:
Masters of the Universe, Wide Release
Renoir, Laemmle Nuart [West LA]
Scary Movie, Wide Release
Carolina Caroline, In Select Theaters
The Currents, Laemmle Royal [West LA]
Time and Water, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Glendale
Office Romance, Streaming on Netflix
Savage House, Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Laemmle Town Center [Encino]|The Frida Cinema [Santa Ana]
Chum, Laemmle Glendale|Available on VOD
-
LAist sat down with the owner of Lei'd Cookies in Culver City to talk about the internationally inspired flavors they bake into their sweet treats. -
Today on AirTalk: What does the World Cup mean to you? Dream concerts, Food Friday, FilmWeek, and best documentaries. -
Today on AirTalk: the 2026 World Cup, the latest on the Eaton and Palisades fires, a new biography of Roddy McDowall, waiting in lines and TV Talk.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
