Audit finds LA’s homelessness agency misused funds
A new audit finds that a Los Angeles homeless services agency with an $875-million annual budget has routinely paid service providers late, failed to track whether contracts were followed and, in some cases, gave taxpayer funds meant for other purposes to providers who weren’t supposed to receive the money. The findings released Tuesday night by the L.A. County Auditor-Controller’s office highlight long-standing issues at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and raise new questions about how the agency is spending large pools of public money. The auditors wrote that the agency had misused funds by taking money from one government funder “to pay for services provided under another government funder’s contract/grant.” The agency is jointly overseen by the city and county of L.A. It was established in 1993, and currently administers funding from the county, the city, the state of California and the federal government. LAHSA has repeatedly found itself in the spotlight over public frustration with rising homelessness in recent years despite billions of dollars in new voter-approved funding.
Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by LAist housing reporter David Wagner to talk about the audit.
With files from LAist. You can read David’s full story here.
We reached out to LAHSA to join us, but they were not available.
We also reached out to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and a LAHSA Commissioner. She was not able to join us this morning but said in a statement:
“The audit findings make clear the structure we have for service delivery is not working. We need greater accountability and bold action. I’m introducing a motion to create a new County department to create greater transparency and accountability on public dollars, and expedite real results on the homelessness crisis. The public is frustrated and there is no time to waste in delivering meaningful results.”
How another Trump administration may impact California: Water Policy
During the first Trump administration, water policy became a major sticking point between Governor Gavin Newsom and the former president. Having presented a plan at that time, President Donald Trump had looked to support California's agriculture by allowing more water to reach the Central Valley through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This policy was pushed back by environmentalists and the state, so much so that Governor Newsom, in partnership with the Biden Administration, worked on an alternative plan known as the Central Valley Project. Having recently published the project’s final environmental document, the Bureau of Reclamation may be presenting a plan that could see changes once a second Trump term begins. How likely is that to be? And how else may California bump heads with the Trump administration regarding water? Joining us to shed some light on the topic is Brad Hooker, California Bureau Chief for the agriculture publication Agri-Pulse West, Director of the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California Ellen Hanak and Karrigan Börk, UC Davis Professor of Law and Co-Director of its California Environmental Law and Policy Center.
How to navigate this season of giving and receiving
The season of giving and receiving gifts is upon us. We wish it was that simple. But gift-giving, and the pressure to participate, can bring up a range of feelings. For some people, it’s a dreaded moment where one must feign enthusiasm. For others, it’s a moment to rejoice in the opportunity for meaningful exchange. As we enter the holiday season, we’re curious what gift-giving means to you. If you love it, why do you love it? What are the challenges you find? How do family dynamics play into it? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Comcast says it will spin off CNBC, MSNBC and other cable channels to separate company as streaming continues to shift TV landscape
Comcast will spin off many of its cable television networks that were once at the heart of the entertainment giant, with people increasingly swapping out their cable TV subscriptions for streaming platforms. Those one-time stars for Comcast's NBCUniversal cable television networks include USA, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel, as well as CNBC and MSNBC. Movie ticketing platform Fandango and the Rotten Tomatoes movie rating site would also become part of the new company. Comcast telegraphed the potential shift last month as it released quarterly earnings. Peacock will remain with Comcast, as will Bravo, which provides significant content for the Peacock streaming service.The spin-off is targeted for completion in about a year, the entertainment giant said, pending financing and approval from its board and government regulators. Like other cable companies, Comcast in recent years has shifted its business emphasis away from traditional cable toward streaming and other sources of revenue, such as its movie studio, theme parks and home wireless and internet services.
With files from the Associated Press
Searching for the right travel rewards program? Here’s how to choose and maximize savings
Traveling is expensive but the right rewards program can offer fantastic perks like free hotel rooms, priority boarding and more. But when it comes to choosing a travel rewards program, the number of options and factors to consider can feel overwhelming. Should you buy frequent flyer miles? Which travel credit card should you choose? Are the annual fees worth it? Which card best meets my needs? Joining us today to give us the rundown on how to make the most of travel rewards programs is Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst, credit cards at Bankrate.com. Do you have tips for making the most of your travel rewards program? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
From 'Jonny Quest' to 'The West Wing' and beyond: Actor Tim Matheson on his decades spent in Hollywood
Actor Tim Matheson has been working in showbiz since he was a young kid. He took up roles in some shows from the 1960s, like Leave it to Beaver and Window on Main Street. In 1964, he became the leading voice for the animated adventure series Jonny Quest. He'd go on to play Eric "Otter" Stratton in one of his best known roles in the 1978 comedy film Animal House, and he was Emmy-nominated for his role as John Hoynes in The West Wing. Matheson joins Larry to discuss his new memoir Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches (Hachette Books, 2024). If you have questions for him, call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
