Checking in on California relief aid and water policy as Trump travels to the Golden State
As President Donald Trump prepares to tour wildfire damage in California, he’s zeroing in on one of his frequent targets for criticism: State water policy. Since the fires broke out Jan. 7, Trump has used social media and interviews to accuse the state of sending too much water to the Pacific Ocean instead of south toward Los Angeles and highlighted how some hydrants ran dry in the early hours of the firefight in Pacific Palisades. In the first hours of his second term, Trump called on federal officials to draft plans to route more water to the crop-rich Central Valley and densely populated cities in the southern part of the state. Two days later he threatened to withhold federal disaster aid unless California leaders change the state’s approach on water. Today on AirTalk, we’ll break down California’s current water policy, plan for relief aid, and what ways the Trump Administration may look to step into both. Joining us this morning is Felicia Marcus, visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West Program, Dan Walters, political columnist and long-time California politics observer with Calmatters, and Sameea Kamal, CalMatters reporter covering the state Capitol and California politics.
As President Trump cracks down on DEI in his first days in office, we look back at its history.
Only two days into his second term as President, Trump ordered an end to the government’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) effort. This marks a sea change for the country, unwinding decades-long priorities for the nation’s largest employer — the federal government — and broader efforts to push the private sector to ensure its workforce is diverse and inclusive too. DEI has become a hot button issue in recent years but its principles date back centuries. Today on AirTalk we take a look at that history. How did DEI start and what did it look like at its inception? How did it evolve to become what it is today? Joining us for the conversation is Shaun Harper professor of education, public policy, and business at USC; he is also USC Race and Equity Center’s founder and Chief Research Scientist and Robert King, reporter at Politico.
With files from the Associated Press.
Serving much more than burgers, Heavy Handed is giving a helping-hand to LA’s fire victims
Amidst a moment of decline and uncertainty for many of LA’s restaurants, one burger joint has continued to succeed. From a small pop-up in 2020 to a roving food truck, to now two bricks-and-mortars in 2025 with a third location on the way, Heavy Handed has beaten the odds with their short rib smash burgers. Now, they are paying back that good fortune offering free meals to those affected by the LA wildfires. Heavy Handed, run by Danny Gordon and Max Miller, are among a handful of restaurants in LA stepping up and giving back to the community during a devastating time. Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by Heavy Handed’s co-founders, Danny Gordon and Max Miller, to talk about what their restaurant has been doing to help those impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
