AI-built ‘actress’ receives pushback, here’s what to know about its origins
An "actress" made through artificial intelligence is receiving pushback, with SAG-AFTRA being the latest to voice its disapproval of the bot. In a statement, the union representing actors noted, “SAG-AFTRA believes creativity is, and should remain, human-centered. The union is opposed to the replacement of human performers by synthetics.” The synthetic "performer" in question, Tilly Norwood, was developed by AI production studio Particle 6 Productions and is a part of a much greater digital talent studio it's built. So what does this “actress” say about the state of the entertainment industry, and its future? Joining us to help explain the situation, and the strong reactions tied to the news is Dominic Patten, executive editor at Deadline Hollywood.
DTLA business owners unite with a plan to revitalize their neighborhoods
An initiative being led by city officials in partnership with business and community leaders aims to restore Downtown Los Angeles and bring business back. The area has suffered from reduced foot traffic due to uncleanliness, infrastructure, and perceptions of safety. This new plan would fast-track permits and development approvals, deploy more LAPD on foot and bike patrol, and repair public infrastructure. Joining us to discuss this effort is President and CEO of the Central City Association of Los Angeles, Nella McOsker. Are you a business owner in DTLA? We’d love to hear from you. Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
To read the proposed plan, click here.
New book ‘Breaking Hollywood’ shares pathways to entering dozens of entertainment jobs
Having originally started as a series of Los Angeles Times utility journalism stories, the new book, Breaking Into New Hollywood: A Career Guide to a Changing Industry, shares extensive knowledge about entering the variety of careers that Hollywood has to offer. For roughly five years, co-authors Ada Tseng and Jon Healey interviewed hundreds of industry professionals, hearing their personal journeys and connecting common ways they were able to find paths for success. Today on AirTalk, Larry sits down with the authors and former Los Angeles Times editors Ada Tseng and Jon Healey to talk about what's new and what's old in getting onto the silver screen.
Can California protect in-state doctors providing abortion services to out-of-state patients?
Louisiana is pursuing a criminal case against another out-of-state doctor accused of mailing abortion pills to a patient in the state, court documents filed this month revealed. A warrant for the arrest of a California doctor is a rare charge of violating one of the state abortion bans that has taken effect since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and allowed enforcement. It represents an additional front in a growing legal battle between liberal and conservative states over prescribing abortion medications via telehealth and mailing them to patients. Pills are the most common way abortions are accessed in the U.S., and are a major reason that, despite the bans, abortion numbers rose last year, according to a report. California also recently passed a law allowing doctors to mail abortion pills out-of-state anonymously. So, what does this mean for future abortion pill access and the rights of doctors? Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by Mary Ziegler, professor of law at UC Davis and author of Personhood: The New Civil War Over Reproduction, to discuss.
With files from the Associated Press
What research tell us about the link between Parkinson’s and a powerful herbicide
Despite being banned in over 70 countries, including the United Kingdom and China, the herbicide known as paraquat continues to be used on agricultural fields across America, with California being the nation’s top user. Research has shown links between the powerful weedkiller and Parkinson’s disease — the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the world and the 13th-leading cause of death in the United States. But what exactly do we know about those links? And what other environmental risk factors are associated with Parkinson’s disease? Joining us to discuss is Dr. Samuel Goldman, professor of medicine in the division of occupational, environmental, and climate medicine at UC San Francisco. We also want to hear from you! Do you have a question about paraquat and Parkinson’s disease? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Bad Bunny brings Boricua to the Super Bowl
Over the course of a 31-date residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Bad Bunny worked a miracle, inspiring patriotism in the hearts of a proud Boricua people, and in those traveling to Puerto Rico for the first time. Bad Bunny’s “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” residency (in English, “I Don’t Want to Leave Here”) bypassed a traditional U.S. tour, bringing approximately half a million people to the island during the slow summer tourism season and generating an estimated $733 million for Puerto Rico. Across three hours, attendees were guided through a musical history — reggaetón hits from Bad Bunny’s singular discography as well as the folkloric styles of his latest album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” (“I Should Have Taken More Photos.”) In February, it can be expected that the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio will bring the same spirit to the 2026 Super Bowl. And he’ll do so in Spanish — a landmark moment for Latino culture. Of course, a Super Bowl halftime show traditionally runs 12 to 15 minutes. It’s not a lot of time to bring Puerto Rico, or its complicated colonial history, to the NFL’s mainstream — but it is enough for a taste. Joining us today on AirTalk is Maria Sherman, music reporter at the Associated Press.
With files from the Associated Press.
