Today on AirTalk, we talk about the Dodgers 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch the World Series. Also on the show, we discuss how food trucks are working through the pandemic; break down the latest news on voting in Los Angeles and Orange county; and more.
Go Blue! After 32 Years, The Dodgers Score A World Series Championship
Clayton Kershaw stood in the Los Angeles bullpen in right-center field, watching Austin Barnes glove the final pitch, the one from Julio Urías that gave the Dodgers their first World Series title since 1988.
Kershaw had finally become a champion, just like Sandy Koufax, Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser before him. The mission took 13 years in the majors, 15 since the Dodgers made him the seventh pick in the 2006 amateur draft.
The left-hander raised both arms and pointed fingers toward the sky, a huge smile across his face. His blue Dodgers sweatshirt still on, the 32-year-old ace ran through the bullpen door and on to the infield to join his jumping teammates.
Meanwhile, we know so many of you were watching and then celebrating in your homes. So call and tell us about it! 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Nick Roman, host of KPCC’s “All Things Considered”; he tweets
A. Martinez, host of KPCC’s “Take Two”; he tweets
As Americans Work From Home, Food Trucks Are Serving Dinner To Stay Open
Food trucks have had to adjust their business plans due to a lack of patrons during what was once a profitable time of day: lunch. As a result of the pandemic, many Americans have either been working from home or have lost their jobs. Still, food trucks are doing what they can to serve those who are staying home and pinching pennies by taking their business into residential areas.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, mobile food vendors employed more than 16,000 workers and reported an annual payroll of $320.6 million in 2018. The pandemic has forced the hand of many profitable workforces, and food trucks are no exception.
With more establishments (161) in Los Angeles County than anywhere else in the country, food trucks have had to decide between fighting to pay their monthly operating expenses or closing down to ride out the pandemic. We speak with guests who work in the industry about changes they’ve made to their operations since March and how they’ve been promoting their new ventures. If you have thoughts or questions, join the conversation and call 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Matt Geller, co-founder and CEO of the Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association and founding president of the National Food Truck Association, both of which are based in Los Angeles; he tweets
John Ou, owner of food truck The Fix on Wheels, which is the mobile counterpart to Silverlake restaurant The Fix Burger
Anthony Suggs, owner of Antidote Eats food truck, which operates throughout different LA neighborhoods
The Denkmann Report: LA City Budget Shortfall And The Latest Election 2020 Dispatches From KPCC & LAist’s Politics Desk
With less than a week until election 2020, we’re reviving “The Denkmann Report” to check in with KPCC/LAist politics reporter Libby Denkmann on the local political stories we’re watching this week, including:
- L.A. Times: Flawed ballot signature verification process
- Monday L.A. City Council Budget Committee meeting where large budget shortfall was addressed
- Early voting centers open across Los Angeles last weekend, more to open this weekend
- How fires, wind are impacting early voting in
and
Day 3 of early voting in #LACounty. We are experiencing intermittent power issues related to the Red Flag Alert weather conditions at the #HollywoodBowl Vote Center. Additional support and a back-up generator are being deployed to assist.
— Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) October 26, 2020CountiesDue to the Silverado Fire, we are cancelling today's pop-up voting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santa Ana. Voters can still vote in person at the Registrar of Voters' office. Call 714-567-7600 for more info #ocvote2020 #ocvotecenters2020 #protect2020 pic.twitter.com/jFMdkbqfNS
— OC Registrar (@OCRegistrar) October 27, 2020 - Update on the race for CA25 -- Mike Garcia vs. Christy Smith
- FAQ’s on voting -- what to do with an extra ballot? Or someone else’s?
- What to know about “poll watchers”
KPCC and LAist want to hear from you -- what was your voting experience like? Share it with us here and (with your permission of course) we might share your experiences and photos during a special @laistpics Instagram live session.
Guest:
Libby Denkmann, KPCC & LAist reporter covering politics; she tweets
Special Interest Money Seeping Into California Assembly, Senate Races
CalMatters reporters have been tracking money that interest groups are giving to independent expenditure committees in California’s Assembly and Senate races, with more than $31 million in unrestricted political spending spent since the start of the current election cycle.
Oil and gas companies are spending to help three Southern California Republicans hold onto or secure swing seats: Sen. Ling Ling Chang of Diamond Bar, Sen. Scott Wilk of Santa Clarita, and Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, who is running for an open Senate seat representing the San Bernardino Valley area.
According to CalMatters, the largest single beneficiary of health care industry independent spending has been Democrat Efren Martinez, who is challenging Democratic Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer. Kidney dialysis companies, correctional officers, educational nonprofit EdVoice, and trade groups representing the pharmaceutical industry have spent thousands backing Martinez, while teachers and other organized labor unions have financially supported incumbent Jones-Sawyer.
Teacher unions are also financing in the hopes of flipping two Orange County-based Senate seats from red to blue by backing Democrats Dave Min and Josh Newman. We speak with CalMatters’ Laurel Rosenhall about what these groups are hoping to accomplish by bankrolling candidates and what kind of impact special interests have in California politics. Thoughts or questions? Call 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Laurel Rosenhall, CalMatters reporter covering California politics, her latest piece is “Cash blitz: Who’s spending the most to influence your vote for California’s Legislature;” she tweets
The History And Logistics Of Platonic Partnerships: When Friends Become The Number One In Each Other's Lives
For many people today, their spouse or romantic partner is the central relationship of their life, but why is that the case? And what is it like for people to center friendships in their lives instead?
In the Atlantic’s “What If Friendship, Not Marriage, Was at the Center of Life?”, Rhaina Cohen explores these questions through various couples, some of whom live together, raise children together and have legal arrangements to tie their bond. She also dives into the history of “romantic friendships,” which were fairly common in the 18th and 19th centuries, and which started to change in the 20th century.
What led to those changes? We sit down with Cohen to dive into the piece.
Plus, if you are in a romantic friendship, we want to hear about your relationship and what it means to you. Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Rhaina Cohen, producer and editor of narrative podcasts at NPR; her recent piece for the Atlantic is “What If Friendship, Not Marriage, Was at the Center of Life?”; she tweets