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DOC AMA: Thirty Percent Of Californians Have Received A Vaccine Dose, Bigger Restaurant Reopenings And More

Visitors wearing face masks enjoy the Flash Speed Force ride at the theme park Six Flags Magic Mountain on the day of the park's re-opening, April 1, 2021, in Valencia, California. - Six Flags Magic Mountain is the first theme park to re-open in Los Angeles County after closures amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Visitors wearing face masks enjoy the Flash Speed Force ride at the theme park Six Flags Magic Mountain on the day of the park's re-opening, April 1, 2021, in Valencia, California.
(
VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
)
Listen 1736:06:40
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we talk about California's dry weather; talk with KPCC film critics about this weekend's movie releases; and more.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we talk about California's dry weather; talk with KPCC film critics about this weekend's movie releases; and more.

Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we talk about California's dry weather; talk with KPCC film critics about this weekend's movie releases; and more.

DOC AMA: Thirty Percent Of Californians Have Received A Vaccine Dose, Bigger Restaurant Reopenings And More

Listen 34:52
DOC AMA: Thirty Percent Of Californians Have Received A Vaccine Dose, Bigger Restaurant Reopenings And More

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, host Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center.

Today’s topics include:

Guest:

Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets

California's Dry Weather Is Bad News For Wildfires And Water Supply

Listen 11:00
California's Dry Weather Is Bad News For Wildfires And Water Supply

It's now April, which means that California's rainy season has officially come to an end.

And because we're not likely to see much more precipitation until next winter, it's the perfect opportunity to reflect on where we're at in terms of water throughout the state, and what the rest of the year is going to look like. In short: it's bad.

We're now officially entering our second year of worsening drought conditions after a paltry showing of rain and snow back in 2020. That left us in a critically dry position in the fall, with 84% of the state experiencing some level of drought. And because of the disappointing showing of precipitation over the past four months, that's now spread to 91% of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The credit for any sort of moisture this rainy season belongs to only a few storms, most notably the late January atmospheric river, which was responsible for 50% of this year's all important snowpack. Another example of how crucial the storm systems are here. That said, it wasn't enough to get us to "normal." And without a miracle March to save us, we're left with a snowpack across the Sierra that's only 61% of average for April 1. That's concerning because a significant portion of water for our landscapes and reservoirs comes from the snowpack, especially through the dry months. Speaking of water storage, the sustained dry weather is starting to take a toll on our reservoirs which had recovered following our last drought. Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with KPCC/LAist reporter Jacob Margolis to talk about the issue. 

Read the full LAist story from Jacob Margolis here

Guest:

Jacob Margolis, KPCC/LAist science reporter, his latest story is “California's Dry Weather Is Bad News For Wildfires And Water Supply,” he tweets

Final Four: What To Expect Ahead Of UCLA Versus Gonzaga

Listen 9:09
Final Four: What To Expect Ahead Of UCLA Versus Gonzaga

As he basked in the glow of a win over Michigan, UCLA coach Mick Cronin was asked whether he thought he had the kind of team in his second season in Westwood to make a Final Four run.

Cronin thought for a moment about five-star prospect Daishen Nix, who reneged on his commitment to the Bruins for the G League. Then he thought about the season-ending knee injury to Chris Smith, his top returning player, and backup forward Jalen Hill’s departure midway through the season for personal reasons. With those three? Maybe. Without them? “Hell no,” Cronin said.

Yet here they are. One of college basketball’s traditional powers, relegated to underdog status throughout the tournament, marching through heavyweights (Michigan State), upstarts (Abilene Christian and BYU), the flavor of the day (Alabama) and the team everyone had pegged as a championship contender since January (Michigan).Two of the wins in overtime. Two more white-knucklers. Only one in which the Bruins were given a chance.

Next up is the overall No. 1 seed Gonzaga on Saturday night in the program’s 19th trip to the national semifinals.

Today on AirTalk, we’re previewing UCLA’s game against Gonzaga tomorrow. Thoughts? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.

With files from the Associated Press

Guest:

Ben Bolch, UCLA beat writer at the Los Angeles Times; he tweets

FilmWeek: ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong,’ ‘The Outside Story,’ ‘Shiva Baby’ And More

Listen 31:44
FilmWeek: ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong,’ ‘The Outside Story,’ ‘Shiva Baby’ And More

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Angie Han and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases.

DURING COVID: Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.

Guests:

Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC, film writer for The New York Times and host of the podcasts ‘Unspooled’ and the podcast miniseries “Zoom”; she tweets

Angie Han, film critic for KPCC and deputy entertainment editor at Mashable; she tweets

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine

Live Action, Animation And Documentary: We Review The Best Of The Oscar-Nominated Shorts

Listen 20:17
Live Action, Animation And Documentary: We Review The Best Of The Oscar-Nominated Shorts

KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Angie Han and Charles Solomon chat with Larry about the 2021 Oscar-nominated short films. They give an overview of the categories, share their favorites and more.

Guests:

Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC, film writer for The New York Times and host of the podcasts ‘Unspooled’ and the podcast miniseries “Zoom”; she tweets

Angie Han, film critic for KPCC and deputy entertainment editor at Mashable; she tweets

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine