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Trump admin defers Medicaid funding, test scores decline, SAG-AFTRA and AI, TV Talk and more
Vice President JD Vance announced plans for the government to cut federal funding for Medicaid expenses in states who fail to comply with anti-fraud safeguards including California.
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Today's show: Austin Cross, filling in for AirTalk host Larry Mantle, discusses a Medicaid funding deferral, a multi-year decline in test scores, not understanding the hype, California's state funded solar program, a potential SAG-AFTRA deal, and TV Talk. Cross is LAist's local Morning Edition host and also hosts Friday AirTalk.
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Trump admin defers $1.3 billion in CA Medicaid funds, citing fraud
The topic:
Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday announced new steps in the Trump administration’s initiative to root out fraud in federal health programs, including a $1.3 billion deferral in Medicaid funding to California.
Background: Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, claimed the administration had identified questionable expenditures and anomalies, such as a higher rate of growth in California’s home care program compared with other states. He did not provide concrete examples of documented fraud.
Context: The total cost of California’s Medicaid program, including state and federal funding, is expected to be about $222 billion for the budget year that starts July 1. More than half the state’s Medicaid funding comes from the federal government.
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Why it matters: Last year, there was a $6.2 billion budget gap in the state’s Medicaid services. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to release his budget proposal for the next fiscal year this morning.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
- Christine Mai-Duc, California correspondent for KFF Health News, an independent source for health policy research, polling, and news
- Dylan Roby, chair and professor of health, society and behavior at UC Irvine
New data shows a multi-year decline in test scores, what’s to blame?
What's to blame for a multi-year decline in test scores?
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The topic:
New analysis of test scores from school districts across the country shows only five states plus the District of Columbia had meaningful growth in reading test scores from 2022 to 2025. Nationally, students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic reading scores and only slightly better in math.
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Context: Starting in the 1990s, the country saw decades of growth in test scores and graduation rates, while racial disparities declined. That progress continued until the mid-2010s.
The pandemic: While schools have focused on catching kids up since the COVID-19 pandemic upended education, reading test scores have been falling since 2013 for eighth graders and 2015 for fourth graders, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
- Sean Reardon, professor of education at Stanford University and one of the researchers who worked on the report
What's something you just... don't get the hype of?
What’s something you just… don’t get the hype of?
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The topic:
What’s something — a restaurant, a beauty product, a movie — that everyone seems to love, but you just… don’t. You don’t get the hype around it. Two of AirTalk’s producers are at odds over a beloved SoCal institution. They’ll share their feelings, and then we hear from listeners!
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Join the conversation: Call into the show at (866) 893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
Solar program woes
Workers install solar panels on the rooftop of a Pomona home in 2023.
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The topic:
Solar developers say they’re facing crippling losses and potential bankruptcy amid a stall in a state-funded solar power program.
Who is affected: It isn't just the developers waiting on reimbursement. Low-income households in the hottest and most fire-prone areas of the state stood to benefit from free installation of solar and battery storage. Now they're in limbo, waiting months for the bill savings and energy reliability they were promised.
Who is affected: It isn't just the developers waiting on reimbursement. Low-income households in the hottest and most fire-prone areas of the state stood to benefit from free installation of solar and battery storage. Now they're in limbo, waiting months for the bill savings and energy reliability they were promised.
Why it matters: The issue highlights the challenges to expanding access to clean energy as fossil fuel pollution continues to accelerate climate change. It's also another hit to an industry that has faced significant setbacks at the state and federal levels in recent years.
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Join the conversation: If you've been waiting on free solar through a state program — or if you're a developer caught in the payment backlog — what's your experience been? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Read Erin Stone’s full story here
Guest:
- Erin Stone, LAist senior reporter who covers climate and environmental issues in Southern California.
SAG-AFTRA offers a contract amid AI concerns
SAG-AFTRA member Cari Ciotti (L) leads as striking SAG-AFTRA members picket with striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers during the 2023 strikes.
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The topic:
This week, leaders at SAG-AFTRA brought a contract to members that allows the use of “synthetic performers.” Despite language that outlines how studios are required to consult the union before using AI for performances, many members are still skeptical.
Why it matters: If these terms are agreed upon, any licensed performance could be subjected to the use of AI talent if the studio determines that it could bring “significant additional value” to a project. This has reinvigorated the fear that members had back in 2023 when their concerns around AI resulted in a strike.
Join the conversation: How do you feel about AI performers? Would you go to a movie, watch a show, or listen to a song with AI-generated talent? Have you already had an experience? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Guest:
- Gene Maddaus, senior media reporter for Variety, focused on legal, labor, and public policy.
TV Talk
What are you watching this week?
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The topic:
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. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching.
TV Shows:
- Dutton Ranch [Season 1] (Paramount+)
- Privileges [Limited Series] (HBO MAX)
- You’re Killing Me [Limited Series] (Acorn TV)
- Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed [Season 1] (Apple TV)
- The Crash [Documentary] (Netflix)
- The Prosecutor [Docuseries] (Netflix)
Guests:
- Kristen Baldwin, freelance TV critic
- Steve Greene, freelance TV critic
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Three years later, here's why the Sphere has been so successful — with some advice for taking it all in. -
Today on AirTalk: Guest host Austin Cross discusses producer prices, recycling, life changing meals, Chinese espionage's history in CA, blue dot fever, and our parents' lies. -
Today on AirTalk: L.A. mayoral race; why this year’s gubernatorial race is different; DVD commentaries; Trump's China trip; the Las Vegas Sphere; cool AI stuff.
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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.
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